24 January, 2023 | Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, Patron of Journalists | Tuesday

 Gospel: Mk 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."

Reflection: 

This is perhaps one of the most misinterpreted passages of the Gospel that often sees Jesus as denouncing His mother and the blood family. However, what Jesus did was to point out a deeper relationship stronger and more lasting than the blood ties. Mary is blessed not for the bond of blood with Jesus, but because of her ‘fiat’ as the handmaid of the Lord, which led to the Incarnation of the Son of God. Mary stands as a perfect example of one who hears and keeps the word of God and to this spiritual family of discipleship, Jesus welcomes all His hearers including us. Family through blood ties is exclusive but the spiritual family of discipleship of hearers and doers of God’s Word is always inclusive. May St Francis de Sales’ words guides us on his feast day, “Great occasion for serving God comes seldom, but little ones surround daily”. 

Action Plan: 

Spend some quiet time reading God’s Word and drawing a line of action based on it, for the day.