He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
Saint Luke has featured Mary of Galilee in his infancy narrative of Jesus of Nazareth. Her ready willingness to bear the Messiah despite her humble origins; her travels to Jerusalem to see the sign of Elizabeth's pregnancy; and her journey to Bethlehem her "bringing forth the infant" and wrapping him in swaddling cloths; her anxious search with Joseph for the errant twelve year old: all bespeak her readiness to "hear the Word of God and act on it."
The Evangelist offers Mary as the model of discipleship, one to admire and emulate. We too should become Christ-bearers (Christophers) and God-bearers (Theotokos.) By our attitudes, words, and deeds we bring forth the Savior and share him with others. We are as eager to speak of him as any mother is to speak of her child. No matter what may be said or reputed of her children, a mother believes in them and knows their tender fidelity to her. We know the Lord in the same way.
As Catholics we learn to bring the same consideration, regard, and tender patience that we've practice with our parents to the Church. Although many Americans go through a stage of rebellion -- it's a cultural thing and not innate -- as adults we put that behind us. We bear patiently with our leadership, and regard skeptically whatever is reported of the Church in the secular press. (They have their own issues and axes to grind, and must sell their stories regardless of their accuracy.) We can no more distance ourselves from Church than we can disown our parents.
These bonds are our faith; they are the Spirit which bind the Lord to his Church, and God the Father to God the Son. That spirit does not shop for churches or the priest and deacons who spoon feed us with palatable, reassuring messages. We hear the Word of God first from the lector who reads the Scriptures, and secondly from the homilist.
Should anyone in the Church evince uneasy feelings about their reliability or integrity, especially around children or vulnerable adults, we show the same concern as we would for a parent or relative. The Spirit of fidelity will not let us dismiss these concerns. If it seems necessary, we can approach ecclesial or civil authorities about those suspicions.
Saint Luke knew and worked with Saint Paul; both Apostles understand that every human being belongs to a family. Although Paul wrote nothing about his own parents or family, he demonstrated a paternal regard for his disciples and their families, and for Aquila and Priscilla and several other married couples. The Church has never suffered the American belief in individualism.
If some people must escape their families to find salvation in the Church, we provide them with a new family, and eagerly introduce them to "my mother and my brothers and sisters who hear the word of God and act on it."
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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.