The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house.
Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.
A crowd seated around him told him,
“Your mother and your brothers and your sisters
are outside asking for you.”
But he said to them in reply,
“Who are my mother and my brothers?”
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mk 3:31-35)
Some people might say that Jesus was being more than a bit snarky in His comment, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” However, He was as far from snarky as you possibly can be.
Rather, Jesus was elucidating a wonderful reality: we are all one family in God. “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Can we derive more comfort than knowing that we belong? That we are one in the Lord? That we matter as much as the next person?
That is the wonderful news. The sad reality is that too many people do not live as brothers and sisters. They live as enemies, looking to harm more than to do good.
We need to quit worrying about who is more important, who is special, who belongs and who does not. Instead, we need, simply, to care for one another. That, after all, is the will of our Heavenly Father. And in caring for one another, we prove that we are, truly, His sons and daughters.
FAITH ACTION: Pray that all people will live as one family of God, caring for one another’s needs.