Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
(Hebrews 10:1-10; Mark 3:31-35)
In the 1950’s and 1960’s, there were a number of television shows portraying the fathers of families as judicious, caring, and in every way admirable men. Father Knows Best featuring Robert Young epitomizes this type of father. Other examples that come to mind are Leave It to Beaver with Hugh Beaumont and My Three Sons with Fred McMurray. In the gospels Jesus holds his Father in what may be called an analogical esteem to the father characters of these shows .
In today’s passage Jesus looking at his disciples says, “…whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” The fact that he does not include “father” in this listing is not oversight. Rather it indicates the unique and privileged relationship he has with his Father in heaven. He will compare no one, not even remotely, to Him.
Jesus’ Father is ours too by virtue of his salvific mission. We can call on God with our everyday needs and rely on His compassionate love. The more we do so, the more we will find our lives fulfilled and the more we will take care never to offend Him.
