At one point, the public ministry of Jesus has become very demanding that he does not anymore have time for himself, not even time to eat. This disturbing news must have reached his mother’s ears so she finds a way to see Jesus.

Mary comes along with Jesus’ other relatives and manages to track down Jesus who is preaching inside a house. Some people in the crowd who know Mary call out to Jesus and tell him about his mother’s presence outside the house. It could have been a heartwarming encounter between Jesus and his family members, but what could have been an intimate interlude in his ministry is still used by Jesus as an occasion to teach a lesson. His stiff response may give the wrong impression that he does not respect or acknowledge his mother. There is no intention in Jesus’ part to disregard his mother.

In fact, Jesus’ reply to the crowd can be considered as Jesus’ homage to his mother since Mary, above all people, always listens to the word of God and lives it on a daily basis. What Jesus emphasizes is not his blood relations but the new family of God that includes every believer, a family nourished and nurtured by God’s word.

First Reading • Ezr 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20

King Darius issued an order to the officials of West-ofEuphrates: “Let the governor and the elders of the Jews continue the work on that house of God; they are to rebuild it on its former site. I also issue this decree concerning your dealing with these elders of the Jews in the rebuilding of that house of God:

From the royal revenue, the taxes of West-of-Euphrates, let these men be repaid for their expenses, in full and without delay. I, Darius, have issued this decree; let it be carefully executed.” The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building, supported by the message of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo. They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus and Darius and of Artaxerxes, king of Persia. They completed this house on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.

The children of Israel–priests, Levites, and the other returned exiles–celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. For the dedication of this house of God, they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs, together with twelve he-goats as a sin-offering for all Israel, in keeping with the number of the tribes of Israel.

Finally, they set up the priests in their classes and the Levites in their divisions for the service of God in Jerusalem, as is prescribed in the book of Moses. The exiles kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.

The Levites, every one of whom had purified himself for the occasion, sacrificed the Passover for the rest of the exiles, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

Responsorial Psalm • Ps 122

“Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.”

Gospel • ukek 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.