While Jesus was speaking to the crowds,
his mother and his brothers appeared outside,
wishing to speak with him.
Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside,
asking to speak with you.”
But he said in reply to the one who told him,
“Who is my mother?
Who are my brothers?”
And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father
is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Mt 12:46-50)
Today, the Church celebrates the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We know that Mary, at the appropriate time in her life, was taken by her parents to be presented to God in the temple. That was common for all those who truly lived their faith.
It is still a common practice today.
Our own “presentation in the temple” takes place when parents bring their children to the church to be baptized.
At that time, the children are presented to God, they are washed free of the stain of original sin, and they become God’s children.
The important thing to remember is that, as God’s children, we must live the way our Father has asked us to live.
Jesus indicated, in today’s Gospel, that anyone who does the will of God the Father is “brother, and sister, and mother” to Him.
We all want to make something of our lives. We all want to be important. We all want to be special.
What could be more important, more special, that to claim with certitude that we are brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ?
You want to claim that?
It’s easy.
Do the will of the Father!
FAITH ACTION: You were presented to the Lord when you were baptized. You were dedicated to Him. Ask yourself for the grace that you need to do the will of your heavenly Father this day.