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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 for other reasons as well. 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.
