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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me remember that, even if someone else has the same name, I am a special and unique person! Amen.

Jesus and the Apostles were praying when He asked them, "Who do other people say that I am?" The Apostles said, "Some people say you're John the Baptist, or Elijah or another prophet." "But who do you think I am?" Jesus asked. Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the one sent by God."

As the school year ends and you think about summer and then starting a new grade, you might wonder about one thing: How many kids in your class in September will have the same first name?

Names tend to be popular for a few years at a time, so you might have a class with two Caydens, three Noahs and two Peytons! It's even more complicated if your own name is one of the popular names. Your teachers end up saying, "Noah K., sit down; Noah B., come here." Sometimes, it's no fun being one of three Noahs.

This week's Gospel (Luke 9:18-24) is about names and being who you are. Jesus knows that people might be confused about who He is, but He wants to at least make sure His friends understand He's the Son of God.

Jesus asks them, "Who do people say I am?" Sure enough, they name a bunch of other people who are prophets or holy men. It's like being one of the three Noahs - to a lot of people, Jesus could be anybody!

It's important to be identified as who you are. If you're Noah K., who likes soccer and ice cream, you don't want anyone thinking you're Noah B., who's allergic to dairy and obsessed with tae kwon do. You are a specific person, not like anyone else!

Jesus was a really specific, special person. All the other people the Apostles named were prophets and faith-filled men, but they weren't Jesus.

Thankfully, though, Peter knew exactly who Jesus was, and said so: Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, the person sent from heaven to save the world. There might be other people who acted a little like Jesus or were even named Jesus, but no one else was THE Jesus![[In-content Ad]]

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