There are many questions in this life that we can safely ignore without consequence. On some occasions, even our answers will be superficial or without much reflection, it will not be harmful or change much the situation. There are other questions that have a more important relation to ourselves and to our society. There are momentous questions that touch upon the meaning of our existence.

For sure everyone, at least ones in the course of life were questioned by something or someone. From the interrogations that accompany us from the beginning of our days to the necessary and we can say, fundamental questions of life; all were called to give an answer. In fact, on some occasions, we cannot ignore the cross-examinations before us.

Sometimes, to postpone answers is to delay and often also to impede great projects that God has in His mind for us. One must be aware that this mysterious plan includes also the cross, suffering, and sacrifice. A Christian who regularly flees from sacrifice will not find Christ along his way. Not will he find any lasting form of happiness, which is linked so intimately to love and self-denial.

As in today’s gospel, there are questions that are conditional by time and space. Jesus and his disciples are in Caesarea Philippi. The time, as we read already chapter eight of Mark, means that the disciples are together with Jesus for a good length of time. The place where they are is a symbol of one of the most known pagan divinities of ancient times. There, exactly at that time and place, Jesus addresses the fundamental question to his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?”

One can call to mind the places and times that fundamental questions were directed to us. Questions that will demand answers that can shape all the following questions and answers in our lives. For instance, let`s remember one couple on the wedding day, or a priest in his ordination, a consecrated person in the final profession of vows, a doctor in his graduation, etc. All will make public statements and answer some questions that will determine all the other requests of life. All will give answers that will bring them to follow and imitate Christ in each vocation they were called. It certainly, goes beyond their understanding, as genuine discipleship must transcend one’s comprehension.

It is not a surprise reaction of Peter. Since he was a boy, he learned another image of the Messiah. Now he is in front of the true Messiah with a different aspect. Not the Messiah with the triumphant victory and fame in the Davidic style but one who suffers and is rejected. Like Peter, all of us are subjected to failure. Not only the failure of not accepting the cross but to the fact of not taking seriously what it means. At the question of Jesus, he was quick to answer: “You are the Christ.” Maybe not fully aware of what it means. For this reason, Jesus asked them to keep silent. He is not looking for an enthusiastic answer that does not consider the reality of the cross. Not only to Peter but to all those who profess that Jesus is the Christ are at risk to reject the dimension of suffering and death or forgetting that this was the way of the Master. Given superficial answers to serious questions often bring one to infidelities.

“Lord, take me as I am, with my defects, with my shortcomings, but make me become as You want me to be, just as You did with Peter.”