Jesus consistently stretches the norms and social constructs of his time. He does so not just for the sake of stirring things up, but to help the people of his time and us today to see the reality that God has created. He is leading us from our fallen nature to the truth of who God has created us to be and is calling us to be.

Today’s gospel is no different. What seemed to be a very simple and straight forward statement, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you”(Mark 3:32). Jesus turns this on its head when he responds: “Who are my mother and my brothers” (Mark 3:33)? And he is taking a risk here as well because of the deep familial bonds of his culture. What most people then and now would agree on would have been for Jesus to ask those listening to make some room for his family to come in and join them or at the least, let everyone take a ten-minute break while he said hello.

Instead, Jesus is extending the parameters of family. Family is not just bloodline. He is saying that his family members are those who do the will of his Father. Those who do so then are his “mother, brothers, and sisters.” We have been created in his image and likeness and are God’s beloved children. This is the reality Jesus is leading us to return to.

We are invited to be a part of his family. An exciting proposition and no genetic testing needed! We just need to do the will of God. The foundation of God’s will is to allow ourselves to be loved by him and to love him and each other in return. If this is our goal today and each day and we intentionally put this into practice in our own unique ways, our lives would be transformed and so would our world! When we really believe and live this truth, we will treat each other much better as well.

I invite you to read today’s Gospel account for yourself, Mark 3:31-35. It is only five verses. Make the Sign of the Cross, breathe slowly and deeply, read the account a few times slowly, and then ask Jesus to bring you into his memory. Jesus was there and he remembers. Ask him to guide you as you enter into the scene by allowing your senses to come alive.

What do you see, smell, hear, feel, and even taste? What stands out for you? Was there a word or phrase that you were drawn to that you can think more about or visualize? As Jesus teaches, is there anything he shares with you? When he asks, “For whoever does the will of God”, what might that mean to you? Allow Jesus to lead you and let God happen. Enjoy!

Photo: Our Mother Mary. Who followed God’s will better than she? St. Vincent de Paul chapel, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, FL.

Link for the Mass readings for Tuesday, January 23, 2024