Who Do You Say That I Am?
Villmer, Assistant
Principal
~ The beginning of a school year. It’s a lot, isn’t it? For everyone. Whew! The angst, the stress, the new routines. The confusion, the chaos.
I can only imagine that all of us—student, parent, teacher, or administrator—ask ourselves the same questions: Are we ready? Do we have what we need? Are we missing anything? Will we fit in? Will we be good enough? Will people like us? Will it be hard? Who will I be now? And on and on…
Yet this is exactly what is so exciting about a new year: discovering who we are in all of it. And the BEST part of my role as Assistant Principal is watching our teachers and students more fully realize the individual gifts God has placed in them to share with our school and the world. And the JOY that comes with it.
Our Gospel today, however, helps us take the attention off ourselves—which seems difficult to do these days—and turns our perspective toward HIM. Jesus asks His disciples, and US: “But who do you say that I am?” We know what Peter says: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
What’s YOUR answer to Jesus’ question? Does it come easily? Maybe not.
Since 1942, the Rural Parish Workers of Christ the King, a secular institute of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, has ministered to rural families in northern Washington County. Their motto is “To restore all things in Christ.” As one of the original members, my aunt, Natalie Villmer, helps me answer this question a bit more easily. For most of my life, I’ve watched her minister to and provide for the poor in her area.
Recently, I’ve been praying with her new prayer book, Praying with the Names of Jesus. Some of my favorite answers to Jesus’ question are: Breath of Life. Quiet Presence. Living Water. Infinite Wisdom.
My personal mission at our school is that every child, every parent, and every teacher who walks through our doors knows more deeply each year WHO Jesus is—that Jesus is WITHIN each one of us and BETWEEN each one of us, and that we are created and called to go out our doors to tell the world.
This year, we are emphasizing Catholic Social Teaching in a new way, including a new Middle School elective. Students will explore the seven teachings: the Life and Dignity of the Human Person; Family, Community, and Participation; Rights and Responsibilities; Option for the Poor and Vulnerable; Dignity of Work; Solidarity; and Care for God’s Creation. These aren’t simply seven things to learn. They are seven ways to SEE the world—and to live as disciples of Jesus.
Learn more about our Middle School electives on our website via the QR code.
I’m grateful to learn ever deeper who Jesus is alongside you. May God bless your new year.
I’ll close with this prayer: “Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Throughout the year, we present an article in the bulletin each week on a variety of topics, written by a member of our Parish staff or ministries on a rotating basis.
