Fr. Nnamdi Moneme, OMV: Rekindle Our Identity in Jesus Christ

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. August 6, 2023.

Daniel 7:9-10,13-14; 2Pet 1:16-19; Mt 17:1-9

I went for confession some weeks ago when I was feeling burdened and interiorly restless. After I had confessed my sins, the priest said to me, “My brother priest, no matter what you are going through in life, never forget who you are in Christ Jesus by virtue of your baptism and priestly ordination.”

His words reminded me that I was first and foremost a child of God. I was vainly trying to find my identity in my status as a priest, or in my duties as a spiritual director, confessor, lecturer, or formator of priest and religious. Ignoring my identity as a child of God only left me weighed down and afraid. But when I give rightful place to this identity that I had in Jesus Christ, I began to experience so much peace, hope and strength to face the struggles ahead. It felt like Jesus was the one doing the heavy lifting. …