But Who Do You Say That I am?
By Deacon Rod Knight
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. We can also celebrate the seventeenth ordination anniversary of Father Ed Anderson, congratulations, and thank you, Father! In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Answers vary: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Christ gets more intimate by asking, “But who do you say that I am?” This question is one that each of us must answer: Who do we believe Jesus Christ is? C.S. Lewis gives us three options: Lord, Lunatic, or Liar. Scripture tells us that Satan is the father of all lies, and that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. St. Jerome said,
“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Scripture gives the views of who Jesus Christ is from the Pharisees, Sadducees, the prophets, the Romans, His followers, His enemies, and those He healed.
My first attempt at writing this article was reviewed with the words only a spouse can give: “It sounds like Catholic vomit.” Wow, I am not sure how to take that. Yes, we are still married. Her point was that she wanted less Catholic teaching and more personal testimony. Jesus is the Divine Healer, the Sacrificial Lamb, the Messiah, King of the Universe, the only begotten Son of God, Man Incarnate, Living Water, Bread of Life, Rabboni, Redeemer, Light of the world, the Good Shepherd, and Savior, these are a few of the titles I believe Jesus Christ to be. In the response of Simon Peter, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Son of the Living God, and He is my Lord and God. I am betting my eternal life on that! Why do I believe this? Personal experiences and a friend who never gave up on me, Jesus.
My father grew up in poverty, Appalachian poverty. He only received a sixth-grade education because he had to work to help support his family, along with his nine siblings. His escape was combat service in World War II. My mother was an only child raised by her mother and grandparents; she never knew her deadbeat dad. Mom had an eighth-grade education, had to quit school to work, and help her family. Mom and Dad were married on 8 December (the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception). My Father’s middle name was Hubert after St. Hubert. My mother’s middle name was Winifred after St. Winifred. November third is the feast day for both St. Hubert and St. Winifred. Sounds like Catholic voodoo or superstition. The older I get, the less I believe in coincidence.
I loved my childhood and could not ask for better parents. My father taught me tough lessons about life, and my mother taught me about God by word and deed. By no fault of my parents, I was homeless at sixteen. I finished High School while working, and as soon as I was old enough, I joined the Army. I spent three years as an Airborne Infantryman and twenty-three years in the Special Forces. My previous wife and the mother of my two daughters was shot and killed in the Navy Yard shooting in Washington, DC. I have had Vivax Malaria, Tuberculosis, and malignant melanoma. I have two prosthetic knees and a titanium plate, rods, and two cadaver discs in my neck. I have known hunger, fear, pain, and loss. I have never known loneliness. I have lived a life closer to Saul than Paul. Christ never left me, denied me, or gave up on me. At my most difficult times, He comforted me.
I never thought I would see forty; I am sixty-two. I never thought I would be a Deacon, even for Halloween. I am a Deacon because God asked me. Like Moses and Jonah, I didn’t want to. How can you say no to your oldest and most loyal friend? Especially the King of the Universe. Everything I have is a gift from God, I am nothing without Him. The most difficult times in my life have become lessons or experiences to help others. My only regret is not fully submitting to my God earlier in life. Pride, the fall of Satan, and Adam. Every historical event I have mentioned is its own story full of personal testimony and encounters with Christ. I am thankful for His love, patience, protection, but most of all His mercy.
If you have read this, please take a few moments to ask yourself, “But who do you say that I am?”