"Who am I?" is an existential question that leads us to ponder on our identity. The secular world categorises us according to ethnicity, sexual orientation, social economic background, etc. However, Jesus pronounces that the core of our Christian identity lies not in personal and social constructs, but is grounded in our relationship with God.

In today's Gospel, Jesus lays claim to His true identity. He states that He is both the Son of God and therefore, the God of David, and at the same time, the son of David, a descendant of David. With that, He affirms that He himself is Lord of all. The prophecies about the son of David are not about a nationalistic leader sent to liberate Israel from oppressive Roman rule. The Messiah (anointed one), Jesus, would be the shepherd sent by God to pastor His sheep, ultimately giving His life for love of them. Jesus' relationship with the Father was one of filial obedience and sacrifice. This is His identity and His being.

When Adam and Eve sinned, our intimate relationship with God was fractured but we did not lose our core identity (or being) as bearers of His image and likeness. Through baptism, this relationship is restored. We become God's children through filial adoption and are one in communion with Him. We can now partake of His divine Love. It is in Him that we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28). The basis of our identity is a relational one.