Before Jesus became flesh, His experience of family was that of superabundant love circulating between Himself, the Holy Spirit, and the Father (Jn 1:1-2). Then Jesus came to earth as a Man, and His experience of family was the love flowing through the Holy Family (Lk 2:39-40), and, later, through His relatives (Mk 3:31-32). Jesus has an unimaginably rich family history.
Today's Gospel presents an abrupt diversion from Jesus' family experience. Jesus gazes at the crowd seated in the circle around Him (Mk 3:34). These people are "hanging on His words" (Lk 19:48). They seek wisdom, healing, or words of direction from One greater than they (Lk 11:31-32). Suddenly the Master is interrupted by a summons from His family. The members in the crowd immediately realize that their time with Jesus is up. They naturally assume Jesus must attend to family matters, and mentally prepare to return home, not knowing if they will ever see Him again. Imagine the look on their faces as Jesus gazes lovingly at them and tells them they are His family, because they are doing the will of God (Mk 3:34-35). Imagine the joy of Jesus in sharing with them the never-ending love that flows in His family.
At Baptism, you were begotten from above (Jn 3:3), given a new nature, and adopted into the family of God. You are no longer strangers; you are included in the best family ever. Live your Baptism. Do God's will. Live in His family love (Jn 15:10).
| PRAYER: | Holy Father, Holy Jesus, and Holy Spirit, may I bear much fruit for You (Jn 15:8) and lead many thousands into our family. |
| PROMISE: | "Whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to Me." –Mk 3:35 |
| PRAISE: | Mark, his wife, and their children made their faith a family matter by entering into the Catholic Church together on Easter. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College