Who is Jesus

Jesus’ self-giving love is embodied in His denying Himself and accepting the cross of pain, suffering, and death to win humankind back to God. Jesus urges us to imitate Him; deny self, lose our lives for the sake of others. This is truly a difficult lesson.

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on September 09, 2021

Who is Jesus

“What is this? A new teaching with authority!” “He has Beelzebub, and by the ruler of the demons He
casts out demons.” “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” “Is not this the
carpenter, the son of Mary?” These statements from Mark’s gospel, demonstrate how astounded and
confused the crowds were by the wisdom and authority with which Jesus spoke and acted. Who is
Jesus? This Sunday, Jesus openly addresses the issue of His identity by asking His disciples two pointed
questions. First, He asks, “Who do people say that I am?” Following their response, Jesus asks, “But who
do you say that I am?” Peter responded, “you are the Messiah.”


Peter was granted the spiritual gift of revealing Christ’s identity, but what was his understanding of the
Messiah? Peter could have been thinking of Jesus as a king, in the line of David, who had come to
restore Israel as a great nation. But Jesus’ reign as Messiah was for all nations and it was not about
power and wealth. Instead, Jesus’ reign is about total self-giving love, expressed in His willing
humiliation, suffering and sacrificial death, leading to rebirth in eternal glory. He therefore tells his
disciples, for the first time, that He would undergo great suffering, be killed and rise again after three
days. Overcome by shock and disbelief, Peter attempted to scold Jesus for speaking about being killed.
But Jesus strongly upbraided Peter for misunderstanding the ways of the Spirit, “you are thinking not as
God does, but as human beings do.”


Jesus’ self-giving love is embodied in His denying Himself and accepting the cross of pain, suffering, and
death to win humankind back to God. Jesus urges us to imitate Him; deny self, lose our lives for the sake
of others. This is truly a difficult lesson. But we can examine how we live daily. Can we die to self-seeking
and self-interest in order to think of life and others as God does? Can we discern our lives through the
eyes of the Spirit and carry Christ’s cross of love, goodness, justice, and integrity? To think as God thinks
and do as He would, even in small ways, is to contemplate daily on Christ’s identity as the eternal
outpouring of love and see ourselves embraced in that love.

Tags: love, faith, jesus

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

Back to Deacon's Corner