True Members of Jesus’ Family
Introduction
After the enthusiastic return of the Jews from the exile, they soon fell apart into factions: almost all looked after their own interests first. Because they were not a real community, they could not achieve the reconstruction of their modest temple, for to do this, there had to be a community of faith. Finally, with prophets exhorting them, they could muster that degree of unity to finish the temple and to celebrate the Passover feast. Where we are a community, God is present, even without a temple or church.
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?
1 Reading: Ezra 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20
King Darius issued an order to the officials of West-of-Euphrates: “Let the governor and the elders of the Jews continue the work on that house of God; they are to rebuild it on its former site. I also issue this decree concerning your dealing with these elders of the Jews in the rebuilding of that house of God: From the royal revenue, the taxes of West-of-Euphrates, let these men be repaid for their expenses, in full and without delay. I, Darius, have issued this decree; let it be carefully executed.” The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building, supported by the message of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo. They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus and Darius and of Artaxerxes, king of Persia. They completed this house on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The children of Israel–priests, Levites, and the other returned exiles–celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. For the dedication of this house of God, they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs, together with twelve he-goats as a sin-offering for all Israel, in keeping with the number of the tribes of Israel. Finally, they set up the priests in their classes and the Levites in their divisions for the service of God in Jerusalem, as is prescribed in the book of Moses. The exiles kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Levites, every one of whom had purified himself for the occasion, sacrificed the Passover for the rest of the exiles, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
R. (1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem. R.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD. R.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David. R.
Alleluia: Luke 11:28
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who hear the word of God
and observe it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 8:19-21
The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
Commentary
Both the scriptures and tradition attest to the fact that Jesus was raised in a God-fearing family characterized by love and respect. When the subject of his human family comes up in his ministry, however, Jesus invariably raises the discussion to another level. Jesus was not simply another man who became someone of note. He was born with a mission, given by God himself, and that always held the priority in his life. In today’s Gospel we are reminded that the true kin of Jesus are those who hear God’s word and act on it.
With that fuller understanding of the Christian message, we know that with baptism we enjoy a new and fuller life, the life of the Spirit. This is the life that unites Christ and the Father and is now shared with us. We thus become members of the heavenly household that entitles us to know Christ as our brother and God as Father (“Abba”). In today’s Gospel, then, Christ lays claim on us. We are truly mother, brother, and sister to him.
The extraordinary cooperation of the pagan Persian authorities, as well as the Jewish elders and prophets, in the rebuilding of the temple is highlighted in today’s reading from Ezra. God can use some strange means to bring salvation. It was the dawn of a new spiritual era for Israel, one that unfortunately was to become less impressive with the passing of time. Our family relationship with Christ has more significance than the rebuilt temple. Do we succeed in keeping it front and center in our fives?
Blessing
How much we could do if our communities were united! The reality of one heart and one soul is a tremendous force. We are one family with Jesus. May God give you this grace and bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!