A common line between growth as a church administrator and the walk of a Christian was drawn with lessons to be gained.

Following a week of Shepherd School, Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Parish administrator Jose Lopez spoke about Jesus turning the tables on his apostles regarding the question of who people would say that he was if they were asked. Instead of the public's opinion, he abruptly switched and asked his apostles who they themselves believed he was. It was from that conversation that Peter took his place as the rock that the Church was built upon.

“There is a pattern in this encounter that we must ponder in order for us to grow spiritually," Lopez said in a column published in the church's Aug. 23 bulletin. “Jesus wants to engage us in an honest dialogue; a real, sincere conversation from heart-to-heart with us.”

Lopez goes on to point out the engagement takes place through prayer. Reaching out to Jesus and affirming the relationship with the heavenly Father and seeking strength, guidance and counsel. It is important to continually reach out to Jesus in prayer because much like those apostles years ago, there is work to be done.

There are many who have turned their back on Jesus, walked away from their spiritual relationship and turned to a life of sin. But Jesus has not turned his back on them.

“Our Lord wants to use you and your family to bring back those who have walked away from him,” Lopez said. “Jesus has a mission for you, and in order to know what that mission is, we must encounter our Lord in prayer.”

Much like Peter, Jesus seeks to look into our hearts and hear our answers for that all-important question, “Who do you say that I am?” Armed with that answer we can move forward in our mission and bring back those people Jesus waits for with open arms.

Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Parish is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin.