THE NEW FAMILY OF JESUS
How do we deal with our neighbor? Justice is more important than sacrifice, and we should hear the cries of the poor.
After his parables on the sower of the word and of the lamp, Luke, using the incident of Mary and Jesus’ relatives seeking him out in the crowd, sums up by saying that Jesus’ new family is made up of those who hear the word of God and live accordingly. Accepting the gospel transcends family ties. This is no direct rebuke to Mary, as we know that she received and responded to the word of God and pondered it in her heart. Like her, do we put it into practice?
First Reading: Proverbs 21:1-6; 10-13
Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God;
he directs it to whatever ends he chooses.
We justify our actions by appearances;
God examines our motives.
Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors
mean far more to God than religious performance.
Arrogance and pride—distinguishing marks in the wicked—
are just plain sin.
Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run;
hurry and scurry puts you further behind.
Make it to the top by lying and cheating;
get paid with smoke and a promotion—to death!
Wicked souls love to make trouble;
they feel nothing for friends and neighbors.
Simpletons only learn the hard way,
but the wise learn by listening.
A God-loyal person will see right through the wicked
and undo the evil they’ve planned.
If you stop your ears to the cries of the poor,
your cries will go unheard, unanswered.
Gospel: Luke 8:19-21
His mother and brothers showed up but couldn’t get through to him because of the crowd. He was given the message, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside wanting to see you.”
He replied, “My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do God’s Word. Obedience is thicker than blood.”
Prayer
Lord our God,
you have called all who listen
to the Word of your Son
and put it into practice
to be the new family you love.
Address each of us personally,
that we may understand your word,
receive it with ready hearts, like Mary,
and let it become flesh and blood
in all our actions.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Video available at: bibleclaret.org