Mark 3: 35
For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.
Jesus' words in today's Gospel often prompt us to question, "Is Jesus rejecting Mary?", or "Did he have biological siblings?", or maybe a question doesn't even surface because the wording seems so bizarre! Rest assured! Jesus wants to teach us something here.
Many Jews in the first century took advantage of their ancestral lineage. God made his promises and covenants to Israel; therefore, if I was decedent of Israel, then I was a part of God's chosen family. There is nothing to worry about, right? Jesus answers, "No." It is not ancestry, but choosing to do God's will that puts us into a loving relationship with the Father.
In the end it's not about who we know. It's about our desire to conform to God's plan for our life. It's not about any superficial relationship represented by mere words. It's about interiorizing God's love to the point of overflow – living out our life for His greatest glory and gracious will.
Once St. Thomas Aquinas (happy feast day!) had a vision of Jesus asking him what he would like as a reward for all of his work – his response: "Nothing but You, Lord!" May we one day respond in like manner.
Get to know our seminarians! Today's reflection was written by:
Elvi J, Moya Jr., Pre-Theology II
Home parish: Nativity
Did you know...
I love Our Lady and entrust my vocation to her Immaculate Heart!
Ps 51: 12
Pray with us for the men and women discerning the priesthood and religious life. To pray for our seminarians by name or to find out more about the Diocese of St. Petersburg vocations office, click here.
