Scripture
Luke 9: 18-22
Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.”
He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Ignatian Reflection
Who Is Jesus to You?
As a market researcher, I have spent my entire career looking at what the "crowds" think. We track consumer sentiment, evaluate public opinion, and build strategy around audience data metrics. It is easy to let aggregate data define reality.
We see this exact dynamic play out in Luke 9. When Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” they report the public sentiment of the day: some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others think an ancient prophet has arisen. The crowds were looking at the surface, trying to fit Jesus into a predictable, historical box.
But then Jesus completely disrupts the research logic. He narrows his focus, cuts through the noise of public opinion, and asks a direct, singular question: “But who do you say that I am?”
Jesus didn't care about social perception. He didn't want a report on what others believed. He demanded an immediate, personal statement of accountability and relationship.
On a busy Friday morning, surrounded by professional metrics, overflowing email inboxes, and the constant noise of the world, Jesus poses that same question to each of us. He doesn't want to know what our culture, our colleagues, or our social or political circles say about him. He looks us directly in the eye and asks, "Who do you say that I am?" Our answer to that question changes everything about how we step out into the world today.
—Danny Monistere is a member of the Board of Trustees for Montserrat Jesuit Retreat House in Lake Dallas, TX. He is a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Chinese Parish in Plano, TX.
Ignatian Prayer
Sep 25, 2026
Prayer
O God, You see me exactly as I am, stripped of titles, status, and the praise of others. Free me from the desire to please the crowds or fit into the boxes the world builds for me. Grant me the grace of radical honesty in Your presence today, that I may stand firmly in the truth of our relationship and follow You wherever You lead.
Amen.
—Prayer of Abandonment
The Daily Examen is a prayer technique developed by St. Ignatius to help us reflect on the events of the day to discern God's presence and direction. When Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus, he required the Jesuits to practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. It's a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.
The Examen structure presented below is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. Click here for more information from our partners in ministry at Loyola Press.
Daily Examen
1. Become aware of God's presence
God, I believe that at this moment I am in your presence and you are loving me.
2. Review the day with gratitude
God, you know my needs better than I know them. Give me your light and your help to see how you have been with me, both yesterday and today.
3. Pay attention to your emotions
God, help me to be grateful for the moments when people have affirmed me and challenged me. Help me to see how I have responded, and whether I have been kind to others and open to growth.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it
God, forgive me for when I have not done my best or have failed to treat others well. Encourage me, guide me, and continue to bless me.
5. Look toward tomorrow
As I look to the remainder of this day, make me aware that you are with me. Show me how to be the person you want me to be.
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