In my parish, I often meet people who remind me of those I knew during my diaconate training in Noble Park and Keysborough.

Sometimes, when I organise different ministries, I find myself thinking, “Who is the right person for this? Who has the gifts to help?” And sometimes I think, “If this person were here with me, I would feel more supported.”

When I prepare funerals, I sometimes wish I had Maria and Marj there to support me. When I think about parish leadership, I wish I had Suzan to help coordinate the meetings.

And especially, I often think about Jeanette Quin. I wish she were still here with me—to guide me, encourage me, support me, correct me, and most importantly, pray for me. But I believe she is now with God, and that she continues to pray for us.

Through Jeanette and many other people, I have experienced God's love.

This reminds me of today's Gospel. Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They give different answers. Then Jesus asks a more personal question: “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Peter recognised who Jesus truly was. But Peter was not perfect. He doubted Jesus, misunderstood Him, argued with Him, and even denied Him three times.

If we only looked at Peter's mistakes, we might think he was not the right person to lead the Church.

But Jesus saw something deeper. Jesus saw Peter's faith, his love, and his willingness to return.

After the Resurrection, Jesus did not ask Peter, “Why did you deny me?” Instead, He asked him three times, “Do you love me?” And each time, Jesus gave him a mission: “Feed my sheep.”

Peter became the rock of the Church, not because he was perfect, but because he recognised Christ and chose to follow Him.

Perhaps this is also our journey. Faith is not only about knowing things about Jesus. It is about recognising Jesus.

And I think about my own journey. When I look back, I realise that there were many moments when I did not recognise how God was working in my life. But God placed people around me who helped me, encouraged me, challenged me, and sometimes corrected me.

Through them, I slowly began to recognise something of Christ's presence.

That is why, when I think about Maria, Marj, Suzan, Jeanette, and many others, I don't simply remember people who helped me. I remember people through whom God showed me His love.

Sometimes we wait for God to give us a great sign. But perhaps Christ is already standing before us through ordinary people.

Maybe Christ is present in our family, in the people who quietly serve our parish, or in someone who needs our patience, kindness, or forgiveness.

So today, let us ask ourselves: “Who is Jesus for me?”

And: “Where do I recognise Jesus in the people around me?”

And perhaps one more question: “Can others recognise Christ through me?”

Like Peter, we are not called because we are perfect.

We are called because God trusts us.

May God open our eyes to recognise Christ among us, and give us the courage to respond with faith, love, and service.

Amen.