Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.”
Jesus’ Mother
1. Outside. Just being related to someone doesn’t necessarily mean you’re truly part of the family. There are many people who barely acknowledge their parents; in fact, some parents might feel more joy from a phone call with their child than from seeing Messi score a goal. Sometimes, we become so absorbed in our own pursuits or concerns that we neglect those closest to us, ultimately finding ourselves on the periphery of our own family. Recently, I spoke with a priest and asked if he planned to take a vacation. He replied, “I’m not sure, because my mother passed away and now I realize I should have spent more time with her.” Too often, we only recognize too late that we’ve distanced ourselves from our family, ending up as outsiders. I hope you don’t find yourself on the outside of your own family circle.
2. The crowd. Being caught up in the crowd can pull you away from what truly matters. Filling your life with too many activities or people can distract you and lead you into living an illusion. Reflect on whether you are able to embrace the simplicity of your own sincerity and the humbleness of your reality. Don’t allow the noise around you to speak louder than the silence, and don’t become so focused on the crowd that you forget what genuinely brings you happiness.
3. God’s will. Following God’s will means seeking two things: peace of heart and a clear conscience. Possessing these will always guide you along the right path. Ask yourself if what you’re doing today brings you peace and allows you to rest soundly at night.
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
