TUESDAY HOMILY FOR 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
TUESDAY HOMILY FOR 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
THEME: THE FAMILY OF JESUS.
BY: FR. KARABARI PAUL
“Here are my mother and my brethren! Who- ever does the will of God is my brother, sister, and mother.”
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Family bond is the highest force that keeps people together. In our actions, love and emotions, the family is considered first. In our relationships with others, our family pride comes first. In Israel, the family was the basis for social living together. It was the guarantee of land possession, custodian of values, and the defence of identity.
In the Gospel of today (Mark 3:31-35), the mother of Jesus and his brethren came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brethren are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brethren?” And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brethren! Who- ever does the will of God is my brother, sister, and mother.” To understand the meaning of this response is very necessary because it has been widely misinterpreted.
Is Jesus rejecting his own mother and family? Not at all, but he is reminding his disciples that there is a kinship that takes priority over blood relations. It is centred on a radical call to be like him. Relationships with him bring intimacy, like that of a mother, brother, or sister.
This is a radical redefinition of what it means to have family and community. Jesus redefines a whole slew of intimate relationships, the boundaries, and nature of which had been known over millennia of Jewish custom. For Jesus, those who work together to fulfil the Will of God are the true family, regardless of any blood kinship they might accidentally share. This was very comforting to the early Christians who were experiencing problems with their own families. Some had left their families to follow Jesus and were rejected by their families.
The family of Jesus moves beyond earthly affections. What guarantees us a place is doing the will of God. Jesus used the occasion to teach his listeners this important lesson. This forms his true intimates. Mary belongs to this heavenly family because she is preeminently the one who has said, “let it be done onto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). For this reason, she is the first disciple of Jesus and the model Christian. This is the true intimacy Jesus calls you into. The mind of God is larger than anything you can think of. He accepts all who are willing to obey Him. He doesn’t limit His love for us. He calls us His brother. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God heal our world, bless and protect us all through Christ Our Lord Amen. Please, stay safe. Good morning.
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