Reflection on the November 2018 Helpers Mass and the feast of St. Leo the Great

In the alternate Gospel reading (Matt. 16:13-19) for today’s Feast day (Nov. 10th) honoring St. Leo the Great, we hear our Lord Jesus ask the apostles who the people say that he is. After their responses he cuts to the quick and asks them a more personal question; “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)

Watching this drama unfold nearly some 2000 years later, we know of our Lord’s divinity and can be confident that He knew who the people thought he was and equally knew how each apostle perceived him. So why ask? Being the good rabbi that He was, our Lord was using this rabbinical technique to get them not only to think, but provide them the opportunity to respond to the “inklings” of the Holy Spirit. To learn how to stand convicted in the Truth of that knowledge graced upon them. To teach them to be emboldened to not only accept these spiritual yearnings, but to allow them to learn to give way to PROFESSING this Truth.

The Truths of the Holy Spirit yearn inside each one of us, and the Church looks to draw those Truths out of each and everyone of us. An example of this in modern day life is how we look at the child in the womb. The world tries to convince us that he/she is only a blob of tissue. As you listen to what has been placed on your heart, remember the confused people of Israel in the Gospel message,  and recognize their worldly responses. Responses that surely affected the thinking of the Apostles.  Our Lord though challenged them to go beyond their human doubts and understandings. And responding to the Holy Spirit our first Pope, the apostle Peter responded that, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:16)

So when it comes to abortion, have you listened for the inklings placed on your soul by the Holy Spirit?  Have you prayed about it? Our Lord is not the only one asking you who he is. Those without a voice are also asking,”Who do you say that I am?”