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.”
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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.