Jesus’s words to us in today’s short Gospel are rather startling, as they must have been to the throng gathered around the Master that day.
Jesus had been travelling from town to town, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. Earlier in chapter eight, Luke tells us that the Twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Now, Jesus’s mother and brothers cannot get through the crowds that surround Him (v. 20). One might imagine that Jesus would go out to attend to them or make a way for them to get closer. And it is entirely possible that He did both of these.
Jesus Speaks
But St. Luke chooses to focus on what Jesus immediately says to the crowd: “My mother and brothers are those that hear God’s word and put it into practice” (v. 21).
Once again, Jesus opens our hearts and minds to new possibilities and promises. Far from speaking dismissively of His mother and His kinsmen, Jesus is reminding us of how closely God holds to Himself the precious hearts of His obedient children. Our willingness to follow God and remain obedient to Him are all that count in the end. Spiritual kinship trumps even close family ties.
The generosity of our Master is evident in His inclusiveness. Despite the social prejudices of His day, Jesus had not barred his female disciples from travelling with Him—including some with a troubled past like Mary Magdalene. Jesus’s welcome is for all – regardless of social position, connections, reputation or failures.
Passages like this are sometimes uncomfortable for us Catholics, because of Jesus’s seemingly dismissive tone towards His Blessed Mother Mary. After all, honouring one’s parents was very high on the list of a Jew’s religious duties (Exodus 20:12).
No Exemptions
However, the Lord is focused on the danger of thinking we are “in” because of our lineage, or our baptismal privileges. The Jews knew they were the chosen people. They were the adopted family of God, a people set apart for Him. Similarly, one might imagine that her role as Mother of the Incarnate God might automatically privilege our Blessed Mother beyond the demands on ordinary disciples like you and me. Yes, she is the Immaculate Conception and the Mother of God, but that didn’t exempt her from obedience. Similarly, God’s expectation of obedience, enabled always by overflowing grace, is a call for every one of us.
As a baptized Catholic, one who receives the Lord’s own body and blood, I may be tempted to feel like an entitled “blood relative.” However, what matters more is that I am an adopted daughter through grace. And if I should choose continued disobedience, I could put myself in the unfortunate position of hearing those dreadful words, “I never knew you” (Matt. 7:23).
May Mary’s perfect obedience and the martyrdom of St. Andrew Kim and companions strengthen our resolve to “be doers of the word and not hearers only” (Jas 1:22).
Excellent reflection, Cheryl. Thank you for your reflection. Loved the line about spiritual kinship trumping familial ties! May we be obedient doers of the word, indeed.