Luke 9:18-22 NRSVue

¹⁸Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” ¹⁹They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” ²⁰Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.”

²¹He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, ²²saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

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Reflection on Luke 9:18-22

Inspiration from 2025-09-26 Daily Prayer

After Peter acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus foretells his own passion and death and resurrection. This would be next to impossible for his apostles to grasp and accept. But Jesus had to carry alone the burden of knowing about his coming suffering. In Luke’s Gospel we read, ‘I have a baptism that I must undergo and how I wish it were already over’ (12:50). In our own lives many of us have to carry burdens within us that we cannot share with others. But there is one Friend with whom we can always share these burdens.

Further reflection

I answer Jesus’ question, ‘Who do you say that I am?’ every day. I take that time I need now to put it in words, expressing myself as honestly as I can, listening for Jesus’ response.

Jesus often tells the disciples not to tell others about him. A time of reflection and consideration is needed before proclamation. I ask God’s help to know where I might speak and when I might remain silent.