Who am I really? Who are you? Who is Jesus? And what is the growing edge of truth in responding to these questions? What is the meaning, the value of asking and responding to these questions?
I well remember Gordon Cosby’s stories about various responses people make to Jesus’ question in Mark: “Who do you say that I am?”
Gordon liked to open the question by asking, “Which Jesus are you following?” Then, stirring up things more, “Who is the real Jesus?”
I have been pondering these questions my whole life, partly because Jesus is the center of my life and partly because our relationship has been evolving for many years.
In the Mark 8 passage*, Peter seems to get it right, saying, “You are the Messiah.” Yet Jesus immediately begins defining that messianic identity in a revolutionary new way. He explains his path ahead is one of suffering, rejection, death and resurrection. Furthermore, the path of his followers is all about self-denial and death. This was definitely not the exalted status, not the glory Peter had in mind when he named Jesus as the Messiah. When Jesus tried to clarify “the real Jesus” for Peter, his description was unwelcome.
What do I say now? Everything I’ve said since childhood is still true, including: beloved friend, teacher, Lord, shepherd, cosmic Christ. And I am aware how important it is for me to stay connected to all those dimensions of his identity in our relationship. But what is most real now? Is there anything new?
On the spiritual journey, there is a always a growing edge, a new frontier. This passage in Mark points to mine, for I have been pondering the mystery of suffering, a crucial part of the mystery of Love.
I recently came across a line in an old hymn: “Rise to adore the mystery of Love.” Adore the mystery of Love. That one word, “adore,” feels like a summary and revelation of many movements in me. And an opening to truth. It’s not the truth I have long sought, a definitive
comprehension. Rather, it means letting go of definitive comprehension. I am compelled to embrace mystery and cease asking my favorite question, “Why?” Instead, my heart is led to adore the mystery and simply love. Whatever is happening, even in suffering, there is the joy of
Love. As for Peter, this requires a big shift in habitual understandings and long-held expectations.
The Greek scriptures tell us Jesus, the Christ, is the eternal One, the word of Love from the beginning who brought all that is into being. As written in the beautiful prologue to the Gospel of John, “In the beginning was the Word…” He is eternally present in all that is, as love,
constantly generating divine energies of healing compassion. Mystery. In all that is. Also, Jesus of Nazareth is the incarnation of Love, the human One whose life shows the way of being divinely human. His life models the possibility of ongoing communion with Abba in a harmony of will, loving the world for God’s sake. Mystery. Joyful on a path of suffering love.
I long to grow more fully into that possibility, deepening communion with divine will. Perhaps the step invited now is for a deepening movement of heart, mind, soul and strength to happen through adoring the mystery of Love. And all that entails, including the mystery of suffering. Adore Mystery.
-Ann Dean, Dayspring Retreat Mission Group
*Mark 8:27-38
Reflection Questions
- Imagine Jesus asking you today for your answer about his identity, what would you say?
- What do you say about the mystery of suffering love?
- What, if any, experience of suffering has led you to adoration?
