 |
| Moms have fun too! |
He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers
are those who hear the word of God and act on it."
are those who hear the word of God and act on it."
Saint Mark's gospel accentuates Jesus' isolation. The "Lion of Judah" who demonstrates the radical freedom of God as he heals thousands, walks on trouble seas, and defies religious authorities, finally allows himself to be arrested, condemned, tortured and crucified. Abandoned by family, friends and God himself, he dies in horrible agony.
So when Mark tells of today's incident, his "mother and brothers" intend to bring Jesus back to Capernaum and silence him.
Saint Luke presents a more congenial reception. His Jerusalem is not as hostile as that of Saint Matthew. Women will accompany Jesus even to Calvary, offering their comforting presence. God will appear in the person of an angel, offering succor in Gethsemane. And, in this passage, Jesus' mother and brothers "came to him." They would remain with him through his suffering and death until Pentecost, when they joined the disciples in the Cenacle.
His response is to open his family to all believers. Raymond Brown, one of the greatest of American scripture scholars, finds evidence in the New Testament that Jesus' family may have jockeyed for leadership in the early church. But, he says, Jesus' chosen disciples prevailed. The mini-controversy served to accentuate the new way Christians relate to one another. We are "family" only in a metaphorical sense.
I met a priest once whose entire parish consisted of one family. More than a century ago one fellow and his houseful of sons claimed a large New Mexican tract of land. Their descendants still live there and everyone in town is related. Newcomers may move in but they'll never belong.
I've also heard of eastern orthodox churches who welcome only those who speak their language. Even in America their priests would rather not receive outsiders.
Unfortunately, both groups imperil their standing as Christian. When the Salt of the Gospel belongs exclusively to one racial, ethnic or language group it loses it savor and is good for nothing.
And so Jesus' family must be content to wait outside. They can join him not because they are blood kin, but because they worship him as God. Mary did precisely that, and Saint Luke honors her as the first disciple to hear the Gospel from the Angel Gabriel. Christians of every time and place emulate her humble, open-hearted generosity to the shepherds, the Magi, the elders in the Temple and to the soldiers on Calvary.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.