Gospel Reading: Mk 3:31-35
The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
Reflection
WHOEVER DOES THE WILL OF GOD
Jesus appears to belittle his blood or familial relationships. Those who call his attention to the presence of his mother and brothers expect Jesus to give priority to the latter since they are his closest relations. But Jesus’ response seems to say that those in front of him, listening to his words, are no less important to him, that they deserve his full attention, and that he does not leave them then and there just because his family is calling for him. For Jesus, the most important relationships are those created by listening to God’s word and doing God’s will.
In life, however, many of us consider our families as the most important. There is nothing we would not give up for the sake of the family. And we do everything to keep its honor intact, even if truth or honesty demands otherwise.
Jesus goes beyond familial or blood relationships. He reminds us that it is our loving and active attention to the will of the Father that makes us members of his family.
Are we willing to put our familial ties aside when a more important value or need is before us?
* * *
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.