Jesus’ Brethren

Today’s Gospel Text:  And his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you." 33 And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" 34 And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother." Mark 3:31-35

Reflection: "Here are my mother and my brothers!  Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Vs. 34-35)

It’s very unfortunate that most of our focus and discussion of this beautiful passage is normally centered on expounding the relationship of these brothers and sisters of Jesus and how they are not the actual but cousins of Jesus. Thanks to the protestants who deny that!

In the process we miss out on the most important aspect of our changed relationship, with none other than God himself, who transforms us mere mortal creatures to the level of God himself.  (cfr. Jn. 1:12)

Hence John in his Gospel brings out the truth of this relationship as thus: “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become CHILDREN of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”  John 1:12-13

So too the exsultet at Easter rings out with joy at this Salvation which Christ has accomplished for us:

“O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam which gained for us so great a Redeemer!”  

In other words, we were ONCE:  

• Slaves of sin Rom. 6:17;
• Disobedient to God Rom. 11: 30;
• Dead through the trespasses and sins, following the prince of the power of the air, following the passions of the flesh, the desires of the body and mind, and so by NATURE were CHILDREN OF WRATH Eph. 2; 1- 3;
• Far off - Eph. 2:13;
• Darkness, instead of being CHILDREN of light. Eph. 5:8;
• Estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. Col. 1:21;
• Foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by men and hating one another. Titus 3:3;
• No people, not received mercy. I Pt. 2: 10;

All these above verses of scriptures helps us understand the great mercies of God and the significance of Christ statement, when he calls us brothers and sisters.

Prayer: We praise you for your kind and great mercy O Lord and can never stop rejoicing at what you have accomplished for us.

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