Mt 12: 46-50
While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Redefining Family
Today’s Gospel reading is one that can sound counterintuitive: “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus says this in response to a message brought to him that his mother and brothers are outside asking to speak with him. In this reply, Jesus redefines the meaning of family as something that is fundamentally not about biological bonds but as those persons who are united in carrying out God’s will.
At the same time, we need not see these two definitions of family (one biological and the other those united in doing God’s will) as contrary. Indeed, many people learn what doing God’s will looks like from their biological family. We also must keep in mind that even those who act contrary to the will of God are called into God’s family, and we see this in Jesus’ call to sinners.
Presently, where do you find people doing the will of God, both within and beyond your biological family? What do you think God is calling you to learn from these examples?
—Timothy Perron, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic of the Midwest Province studying theology at Fordham University.
Prayer
God my teacher, I thank you for all of the ways that you show me your will being carried out in those whom I am blessed to encounter. May I also be an instrument, carefully attending to your call, and lovingly acting on it. May my ears always be open to hearing and my mind and heart to discerning. I ask this through Christ my Lord.
Amen.
—Timothy Perron, SJ