Church Family Moment for Sunday, September 15, 2024

By Director of Spiritual Formation Rebecca Guzman

1. Write an introduction for Jesus. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” If you were going to introduce Jesus to someone who didn’t know anything at all about him, what would you say? Considering writing out or recording your introduction. Maybe compare your introduction with others. What is most important about who Jesus is?
2. Listen to a readaloud of Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas by Lynne Cox. Notice how in the book, Elizabeth does not allow others to tell her who she is and where she belongs. Jesus does not allow others to do this either. Why do you think that’s important?
3. Make a cross. In the Gospel, Jesus says that we will have to take up our own crosses to follow him. Of course, this does not mean that we actually have to pick up a cross. Instead, Jesus means that we will all have to face difficulties because we have chosen to live his way. Make a cross of some kind to remind yourself that Jesus is always with us, even in our challenging times.
4. Journal, considering the following:
   1. What did the disciples mean by saying that Jesus is the Messiah?
   2. Why didn’t Jesus want the disciples to tell other people what they were noticing?
   3. What does Jesus say is going to happen to him?
   4. What do you think about the interaction between Jesus and Peter?