In the Gospel today, we hear how during the course of his public ministry, the Lord Jesus was approached by his mother and those whom our english translation calls his brothers, though the Greek word in Luke’s Gospel is adelphoi, which could also refer to Jesus’ other relatives, like cousins and uncles and even close family friends, coworkers, neighbors, and members of ones religious community, as we use it today, when we use the word brethren.
When, Jesus’ adelphoi show up, it would have been pretty much expected for him to stop what he was doing and go out to meet them. And yet, the lord takes the opportunity to teach: “My mother and my adelphoi are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” In other words, there is a bond deeper than even biological ties—the bond between those who strive to do the will of God. The Lord foreshadows here the bond—the unity –of the baptized.
Through Baptism—Christians enter into a supernatural bond with God and one another—a bond of those who have God as Father and Jesus as brother. The Church is the family of God. To quote Pope Francis, “The Church is not an organization born out of an agreement between some persons but the work of God—the supreme act of love on the Cross, The Church is born of God’s desire to call all men and women to communion with him, to friendship with him, even further, to participate as his children in his very divinity.”
This deeper bond of the baptized, the family of God, challenges us to look beyond earthly relationships—and find our deepest identity as children of God. This unity is not just symbolic but calls for a real commitment to live in communion with one another, supporting and loving each other as true brothers and sisters in Christ. It calls us to forgive, to be merciful, and to be self-giving, just as Christ has shown us. As members of this divine family, we are called to be witnesses of God’s love in the world, extending that love to all we meet, especially those in need. In this way, we live out our identity as God’s children, bound together not by blood, but by grace.
We do well to pray for a strengthening of the bonds among Christians, to pray for one another, that we may love God and each other, responding to the word of God with generous hearts, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
- - - - -
For all Christians, that through the grace of Baptism, we may be strengthened to live in communion with one another, forgiving, being merciful, and witnessing God’s love to the world.
For families, that they may be places where the love of God is experienced and shared, and that they may grow in holiness, reflecting the unity of the family of God,
For those who feel isolated or estranged from their families, that they may find comfort and belonging in the Church, the family of God, and be drawn into a deeper relationship with Christ, .
For the sick, the poor, the lonely, and all those in need, that we may extend the love and compassion of Christ to them, and work to build a world where all are treated with dignity and respect,
For the deceased members of our families and parishes, that they may rest in the eternal peace of God’s kingdom.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment