Truly Knowing Jesus
"Pilate said to Jesus, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' Jesus answered, 'Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?'" (John 18:33b-34)
"Pilate said to Jesus, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' Jesus answered, 'Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?'" (John 18:33b-34)
One of the things I treasure the most is the times I spend with my closest friends. Our friendship allows us to freely share our joys, sorrows, triumphs, and challenges with each other. I am grateful that my close friends desire to know me and allow me to know them.
Today we celebrate The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe! In the gospel reading, Jesus poses a question that lead each of us to contemplate: How well do I know Jesus? Do I proclaim Jesus as King solely based on information shared by others? Or do I know Jesus intimately because of the relationship I have cultivated with him over time?
Jesus yearns for us to truly know him and to allow ourselves to be known by him. He hungers and thirsts for us to hunger and thirst for him. He desires that we carve out time for the sole purpose of deepening our relationship with him.
As Ordinary Time draws to a close, we look towards the start of a new liturgical year. The Advent season invites us to prepare our hearts and minds to receive Jesus and to rededicate ourselves to cultivating a deeper, more intimate relationship with him.
Jesus has proven that he wants to be in an intimate friendship with each of us.
The question we must each ask ourselves is: What level of friendship do I want to have with Christ?
Jesus, forgive me for the times when I did not prioritize you, and grant me the graces I need to make our relationship central in my life. Amen.
Charmaine Carter, MD is a retired physician, now serving as the Director of Evangelization and Adult Faith Formation at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. She became Catholic 16 years ago along with her husband Deacon John Carter and their 3 children. She holds a Master of Theology from Saint Leo University, and she is a Spiritual Director, having trained at the Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence School of Spirituality. On any given day, you will find her studying and/or teaching Sacred Scriptures, which are her passions.
