Brotherhood and Human Family

Today’s Gospel Text:  While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother." Matt 12:46-50

Reflection: The Gospel text carries a very important message, relevant for all time and ages. 

How do we look at the great effort made to proclaim the message of brotherhood and sisterhood, the human family and the call to love?  

The world more and more seeks to live as one family, in unity and peace. The religious wars and the terrorism has further pushed the world to think of a solution in humanism, which seeks to unite the world into a global family where there would be no difference between caste, creed and religion; unity of religions. 

Hence the illusory hope of a world where there would be no killing or blood bath.

Unfortunately there are leaders in the hierarchy of the church, who also speak such a language of striving, to  establishing a kingdom of unity, peace and brotherhood.

Christ Jesus is often quoted out of context or understood for convenience, to create a civilization that would be based on the concept of the universal brotherhood of man.

In such a situation the question that Jesus raises is relevant for us to understand and has its own implications: "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" (vs. 48)

Is it all or everyone on the street or in the world? No,  “… stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! (vs. 49)

And he qualifies that statement, lest if there be any room for misunderstanding: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother." (vs. 50)

If you find this shocking, then I find it equally shocking at the rejection of the revealed truth of God, rejecting which, the many human strivings is only a mirage of hope leading to doom!

Hence the basis for the unity and brotherhood is not creation, that is, image and likeness of God but rather doing the will of God.  Jesus Christ is the key for this unity and brotherhood because he is God’s will for us and it he who reveals to us God as our Father.

Prayer: We are grateful to you for revealing to us our Father and thus making us a part of your family.

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