Who is Jesus, really? That question divided people who heard Him speaking, saw Him acting among them, when He lived on our earth (today's Gospel). It's a question that's continued to divide peoples' opinions, not only as between those who believe in Him and those who don't, or between different world religions, but also among Christians ourselves. The early church took a few hundred years to settle finally some of the basic questions about who Jesus really was, and to agree on the wording of the Creed we now recite at Sunday Mass. But that wasn't the end of the story.

Thousands of books have been written about Jesus, and who He was/is. Great theologians and teachers as well as devout Christian believers, poets, novelists even, have written about Him. There's deep theological thinking, and historical investigation, as well as simple popular teaching and explanation, or personal faith-witness. Some books are violent criticism and rejection of Christian beliefs.

May this Lenten time of personal prayer and renewal be a great opportunity for us to deepen our appreciation and love of Jesus who has done so much for us in His paschal mystery. A greater affective reading of the gospel is a basic thing to do. But why not also try to learn something more about Jesus Himself, His relationship with His Father, with His Jewish heritage, with His time and place and His mission?