MATTHEW 12:46-50 BELONGING TO THE FAMILY OF JESUS

Year A, Tuesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time

In today's Gospel, Jesus says something that can sound surprising: "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" At first, it may seem as though He is distancing Himself from His family. But that is not what Jesus is doing. Instead, He is expanding the meaning of family.

Jesus points to His disciples and says, "Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother." In other words, the deepest bond we can have with Jesus is not based on blood relationships but on a relationship of faith and obedience to God's will.

This is both comforting and challenging. It means that each of us is invited into the family of God. Through Baptism, we are not simply followers of Jesus; we become His brothers and sisters. We belong to Him, and we belong to one another.

But belonging to God's family also carries a responsibility. Family members resemble one another. If we are truly members of Christ's family, then His values should become our values. We should love as He loves, forgive as He forgives, and serve as He serves.

Perhaps today's Gospel invites us to ask ourselves: Can people recognize that I belong to the family of Jesus by the way I live? Every act of kindness, forgiveness, compassion, and faithfulness is a sign that we truly belong to Him. May we live in such a way that others can see the likeness of Christ in us.

With Love and Prayers

Your Co-Traveler

Father Leo