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Home Matthew 12:46-50 NRSVue

Matthew 12:46-50 NRSVue

46While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. 47Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” 48But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”

Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
Can I imagine this scene? Jesus' beloved family comes by as he is preaching. He seizes the chance to widen that fortunate group. He is not denying family ties, but extending them with a gesture that is like an ordination. When he points to the group of disciples, can I imagine that I am standing among them?

Reflection
Belonging to God is basic relationship, prior to all human relations. We came from God before we came from father and mother. There are times when family goes second to God. How would Mary have taken this statement? Was she being diminished? Her faith was deep and strong enough to know that her spiritual relationship to her Son was stronger even that the human mother-son relationship.

Reflection
The relationship we have with Jesus is founded on something deeper than even the deepest human relationships of family. We are the family of God and are brother and sister to Jesus when we try to do God’s will and to make God’s kingdom come. Prayer deepens our appreciation of the values of the kingdom of God: justice, holiness, peace, compassion, faith, and love - all that is central to the life of Jesus.

Reflection
I wonder what did his mother and family want to speak to him about? The evidence is that they were coming from home to take him back home. Jesus, with his teaching and challenging religious views, was becoming an embarrassment if not a danger to his family. Jesus' way of life would lead him into opposition with those closest to him, his family.

Reflection
Jesus counts me among his closest, his next-of-kin. I show that this is my identity as I do the will of God.

Reflection
I pray that I may do the will of God with joy and courage, perhaps praying the ‘Our Father’ as I ask that God’s will be done in this world as it is in heaven.