God’s Family
Too often people think that Jesus is shunning His family. I have reflected more on the image of Jesus opening His arms to the people around Him and saying here are my mother and my brothers. He is opening an invitation to all to come be in His family. To be His brothers and sisters. In this gospel He opens His arms to include all just as He will one day open His arms to include everyone from the cross of love.
Families are complicated. Even the family of Jesus had their issues. Some of them thought Jesus was not sane and they were coming to take Him home. Others wanted to distance themselves from Him because they were embarrassed. Jesus had a family much like the one we have. Many people with many ways of thinking and acting and behaving.
But that is exactly what makes your family so special. Just as there are no two people alike there are no two families the same. But we are all loved by God. And our families are our closest neighbors. So, God complicated the family life more by saying we must love our neighbor. The best way to do this is to pray for your families. Begin today.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen