What do you believe?

For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page, which includes Ott's current Living by the Word column as well as past magazine and blog content. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

I'm intrigued by the public radio program This I Believe. How often are we asked direct questions about what we believe? And what would you or I say when asked by Jesus, "Who do you say that I am?"

I am going into the fifth year of a continuing education program in which the capstone assignment each year is to prepare a statement of belief. We are asked to describe our personal beliefs and principles, how we developed these beliefs, what has changed throughout our lives, and what situations have required us to act on these principles.