Summary: Egosurfing is natural, and because it is slightly voyeuristic, it feels a tiny bit naughty and fun. Even Jesus searched for himself on social media -- the media being a group of students, popularly known as his disciples. So, he asked them, "Who do people say that I am?" But then Jesus asked them a more personal question -- one that leads us to ask: "Who are we?"
Here's a question you need not be either ashamed or embarrassed to answer honestly: "Have you ever searched online ... for yourself?" It's okay. Curiosity is a common human trait. Even Jesus searched for himself on social media - the media being a group of students, popularly known as his disciples. So, he asked them, "Who do people say that I am?" Egosurfing is natural, and because it is slightly voyeuristic, it feels a tiny bit naughty and fun. Reading about ourselves online is like being a character in an Agatha Christie novel standing behind a velvet drapery in a dark-paneled library, eavesdropping on a conversation.
Perhaps you've even done a deep search. However, a deep dive into the expansive digital ocean involves intention, not just curiosity. A curious person might be sitting at the computer and be bored and in an idle moment get a sudden itch as when a dust mote alights on the nose. You don't care what people are saying about you; you want to know if the security of your private data is protected or at risk. So, you turn to the dark web to make sure your data isn't for sale.
But, this can be dangerous. True, you might be able to find and rectify erroneous or misleading information about you. But on the other hand, at these depths, you are exposing yourself to potential danger; in your foray into the dark world of the underweb, you may be leaving behind in your wake more information than what you're discovering. As one writer explains, the dark web is "a realm where unscrupulous actors lurk, ready to capitalize on illegal content or pilfer personal details, jeopardizing both your reputation and your privacy."1
Even Jesus seemed to know this intuitively. Reading this and subsequent chapters in the gospel of St. Mark, you get the sense that Jesus knew he was entering a dark web of deceit, danger and destruction. Notice how he acted after Peter identified him as "the Messiah." He immediately put his fingers to his lips - Sssshhhhh! - and told them to keep this information quiet and under wraps. Jesus wasn't afraid, but he was cautious.
Then he went darker. He drew the group closer. "Come here, come here." In hushed tones, he explained that there was a cabal of conspirators who wanted to bring him down. (He would later tell them there was a mole in his own organization working against him as well.2) He explained that the elders, scribes and "chief priests" were in on it, and that he, Jesus, was going to suffer and ultimately be assassinated. It was just a matter of time.
So, this is the context for today's gospel reading. Maybe Jesus was what kind of impact he was having. He asked his class or students (disciples) what people were saying about him. "Who do people say that I am?" This text tells us not only who Jesus was and is, but it also invites us to explore who we are.
This could not have been an easy question for Jesus' students to answer. They didn't have AI, ChatGPT, mobile phone contracts with Verizon, Wi-Fi hotspots or social media to consult. But, they were street smart; they had their sources; they weren't without resources. Jesus had generated considerable buzz. The word on the street about Jesus was that:
These are some of the responses his students might have shared with him. They did mention that some people thought he was the reincarnation of John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the other prophets.
Then Jesus probes further. Now Jesus makes it personal. "Who do you say that I am?" (emphasis added).
Peter nailed it immediately: "You are the Messiah." He got it right! Matthew recalls Peter saying, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."3 Peter was so spot-on that Jesus slapped him on the back and pronounced a blessing on him: "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."4
BAM! Got it right the first time! Impressive.
But Peter, like many of us, didn't have the complete picture. He thought that Jesus was someone who needed protection, so later, when "a detachment of soldiers together with the police from the chief priests and the Pharisees"5 arrived to detain Jesus on suspicion of treason, Peter was locked and loaded. When Malchus, the high priest's slave, approached him to make the arrest, Peter immediately drew his sword and sliced off his right ear. Jesus may have been the Christ, the Son of the living God, but on the eve of his execution, Peter unfortunately forgot who Jesus was.
Eventually, Peter recovered. He became a great preacher and apostle, and he died his own unique death for the sake of the gospel and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Peter's initial four-word response, however, became an instant classic. In four words or even 10 words, how would you answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?"
Who would we say Jesus is? The answer is personal and experiential. We experience Jesus in different ways.
But here is what the Bible says about the identity of Jesus - leaving out Old Testament messianic references.
Jesus identified himself through seven "I am" statements, all found in the gospel of John: I am the bread of life,6 the light of the world,7 the gate,8 the good shepherd,9 the resurrection and the life,10 the way and the truth and the life,11 and the true vine.12
Nicodemus called him "rabbi,"13 and he was not the only one. Since the word "rabbi" means "teacher," English translations often use "teacher" where "rabbi" was intended.14 At the moment of Jesus' death, the centurion at the foot of the cross said, "Truly this man was God's Son!"15 John the Baptist called him "the Lamb of God."16 The Magi, Pontius Pilate and the Roman soldiers, all of whom were gentiles, called him the "King of the Jews."17 He was human and subject to the human emotions. Yet, he was God, too. His divinity notwithstanding, he was a real person who could be seen, heard and touched. The apostles believed in him as Savior and Lord. And in the Apocalypse, or The Revelation of Jesus Christ to St. John the Divine, he is called "King of kings and Lord of lords,"18 a refrain echoed by George Frederick Handel in his well-known oratorio, The Messiah, which is enjoyed by countless millions every Advent.
More could be written, of course, as to who Jesus is, but there is a larger question begging to be asked and it is: Who are we?
It's a deep question, and we won't find any answers that satisfy by diving deep into a dark web of doubt and confusion.
The answer to any identity confusion is found in scripture. In the book of Genesis, we are reminded that we are created in the image and likeness of God.19 Our identity is rooted in the divine, reflecting the very nature of the One who breathed life into us. We are not merely chance occurrences, but creations intentionally designed for a purpose. We are born to love God and enjoy God forever. These are simple, but profound truths we learned in the catechism.
True, we are not perfect. Yet, in our brokenness and despite our flaws, we shouldn't question our worthiness. It is precisely in our imperfection that God's grace shines most brilliantly. The scriptures affirm that God loves us not because of our perfection but in spite of our imperfections. We are beloved, chosen and cherished by the One who knows us intimately. We are also chosen in Christ, and recipients of God's grace. We are blessed by the sacraments, and enriched by the counsel of priests and bishops and by the leadership of His Holiness, Pope Francis.
Our identity is not static; it is dynamic and unfolds as we respond to the call of God. This happens as we follow Jesus who, in today's reading from Mark, asks us to deny ourselves and take up our crosses.
We are blessed because we have clarity about who Jesus is, and about who we are. Armed with knowledge like this, there is very little the people of God cannot do.