REFLECTIONS TODAY
In the Church nowadays, we have this beautiful practice of calling one another “brothers” and “sisters.” Our common bond of faith and love of the Lord Jesus Christ naturally makes us really feel that we are brothers and sisters to one another. Obviously, this bond is more spiritual, more universal, than the bond of blood or DNA. This is perhaps what Jesus wants to underline in his rather striking comment and declaration in the Gospel. Specifically, he declares that our connection as brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers to one another is not so much blood relationship as that of doing the will of the Father. Jesus must be thinking of those who are listening to him, who left their families and their tasks at home to listen to him, who are not members of his family. Ecumenical gatherings and initiatives are a good illustration of what this spiritual familial relationship is like — when we can work together, respect one another, support one another despite basic differences in creed or religion. Joint ecumenical efforts such as work for peace and justice, and care for the environment concretize the value of belonging to the family of God who is the Father of us all.
Gospel • Mark 3:31-35
The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus 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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.