Tuesday, Jul 23, 2024

Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Micah 7:14-15.19-20; Matthew 12:46-50)

Today’s gospel challenges the Catholic Christian for two reasons.  First, it seems to slight Jesus’ familiar relationships when he turns to his disciples as his “mother” and “brothers.”  Second, it begs the question, if Mary was a virgin before, during, and after giving birth to Jesus as the Church teaches, how could he have “brothers´?

As a response it can be said that Jesus does not exclude his blood relatives from a spiritual relationship with him.  In fact, his mother was with him when he was crucified.  James and Jude, called “brothers” of Jesus in the gospels, did join his disciples after his death.  Regarding the question of Mary’s virginity, it is possible that the word brother has been extended by the gospel writers to include cousins.  Or it may be that the “brothers” were Jesus’ half-brothers by virtue of Joseph having a family before he married Mary.

The import of this gospel is surely that we, disciples of Jesus, have more than a casual relationship with him.  When we do the will of his Father, we are as close to him as we are to our most intimate siblings.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

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.