Thanks so much for this reflection. It really spoke to me and helps me to reimagine not only the Universal Christ all around me, but also the many ways the personal Jesus can be manifested. As you said, the personal and the universal aren't diametrically opposed, but beautifully ever-present and complimentary.
My first verbatim during CPE was based around the question "who do you say that I am?" As an Enneagram 3, that's a VERY vulnerable question for me to genuinely ask. It took my minutes of crying to finally be able to ask that question of my cohort peers. Of course, they were very affirming and uplifting. It has been a wonderful journey of self-discovery (and taking off those masks) since asking that question.
I try to ask the Divine that question and hear the answers through relationships, old and new.
Again, thank you for this beautiful reflection on this text.
Hi Christopher! Thank you for reading and taking the time to reply. I'm so pleased it spoke to you and I love how you connect the intertwining of the personal and the universal with the personal Jesus and universal Christ. I also love the idea of turning the question "Who do you say that I am?" on its head and listening to what the Divine - through relationships - has to say about us. As you say, it's a brave and vulnerable question to ask and I am so glad your vulnerability was met with affirmation. I can imagine that helped you feel safe to keep on with the journey of self-discovery. Reflecting on the passage through the lens of your story I realise there's a kindness in Jesus' exchange with Peter. Jesus voices the question but Peter doesn't have to endure the vulnerability of the asking - he simple receives the answer and then begins to live into it. I guess we all need an answer we can live into....
Hi Jen,
Thanks so much for this reflection. It really spoke to me and helps me to reimagine not only the Universal Christ all around me, but also the many ways the personal Jesus can be manifested. As you said, the personal and the universal aren't diametrically opposed, but beautifully ever-present and complimentary.
My first verbatim during CPE was based around the question "who do you say that I am?" As an Enneagram 3, that's a VERY vulnerable question for me to genuinely ask. It took my minutes of crying to finally be able to ask that question of my cohort peers. Of course, they were very affirming and uplifting. It has been a wonderful journey of self-discovery (and taking off those masks) since asking that question.
I try to ask the Divine that question and hear the answers through relationships, old and new.
Again, thank you for this beautiful reflection on this text.
Hi Christopher! Thank you for reading and taking the time to reply. I'm so pleased it spoke to you and I love how you connect the intertwining of the personal and the universal with the personal Jesus and universal Christ. I also love the idea of turning the question "Who do you say that I am?" on its head and listening to what the Divine - through relationships - has to say about us. As you say, it's a brave and vulnerable question to ask and I am so glad your vulnerability was met with affirmation. I can imagine that helped you feel safe to keep on with the journey of self-discovery. Reflecting on the passage through the lens of your story I realise there's a kindness in Jesus' exchange with Peter. Jesus voices the question but Peter doesn't have to endure the vulnerability of the asking - he simple receives the answer and then begins to live into it. I guess we all need an answer we can live into....