Scripture:
2 Samuel 6:12b-15, 17-19
Mark 3:31-35
Reflection:
In our Gospel reading we have Mark’s account of Jesus speaking to a group of people and being told that His mother and brothers were outside asking for Him. And Jesus replies: “’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.’”
Jesus’ response seems rather aloof, or even harsh. For me, Jesus words speak to two things, both of which challenge us to think in different ways. The first thing is to relate this encounter to what was recorded just a few verses earlier in Mark’s Gospel: “Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.’” (Mark 3:21). I imagine Jesus telling His family, “I can’t go home with you. I have a mission to do, and right now, it is here with these people. I’m not out of my mind. I’m doing my Father’s will.” His family had to change their thoughts about who Jesus really was. If we let Jesus come closer to us, we may need to change our thoughts about who He really is.
The second thing has to do with Jesus expanding His conception about who belongs to His family. In our divided times, it may be necessary to ask ourselves, “Who do I see as my brothers and sisters? Is it only people who are like me? Or can I see God’s love for people who may be different from me?” Again, Jesus’ words may call for a change of attitude towards others. Or even more, a change of heart.
May we let Jesus more and more into our hearts and our lives, so that we can see Him and others more clearly.
Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P., is the local superior of the Passionist Community in Birmingham, Alabama.