Who do the crowds say I am? This is the question Jesus puts to the disciples in today's gospel reading. Then hearing their responses Jesus poses another more personal question to them. Who do you say I am? He asks this after He had spent some time in prayer in their presence. Hearing Peter's response Jesus must have realized it was time to lead them to a deeper knowledge of who He was and what His mission would entail. It was time to share with them about the suffering and death - would endure. Perhaps when He tells them not to tell this news to others He realizes that only those closest to Him are beginning to understand and others are still not ready for this revelation.

Having spoken about His suffering and death He then goes on to talk to them about what it means to be a follower of His. We too must be willing to take up our own cross and follow Him. This will be different for each one of us but it will mean giving up something of ourselves and being clothed with Christ. Let us listen to Jesus today and reflect on how we would answer this same question "Who do you say that I am".