Tuesday of the
Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Micah 7:14-15.10; Matthew 12:46-50)
Robert Kennedy was President’s John Kennedy’s closest
advisor. He had a Harvard education and
considerable experience. But the president
confided in him because they shared the same family and background. Robert couldn’t betray John without betraying
himself. More importantly, Robert
understood John’s way of thinking and could confidently tell him when he
believed that he was mistaken. In today’s
gospel Jesus recognizes his disciples as having a similar relationship with
him.
When Jesus is informed that his parents wish to speak to
him, he surprisingly does not stop his presentation to see them. Rather he acknowledges that he is establishing
a new family precisely with his preaching.
Those who heed his words by doing the will of God, his Father, he
considers true family. To the extent
that his own blood relatives love others, they too become his “brother and
sister and mother.”
We should see in Jesus’ statement here an offer to know
him intimately. He has come to share
with us his intimate thoughts and desires.
We won’t have to correct any of his ideas. We only can profit by feeling his love for us
and following his wisdom.
