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“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his
hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my
brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my
brother, and sister, and mother.” Matthew 12:48–50
These questions of Jesus were posed by Him to a crowd of people who
were inside a house where He was teaching. His mother and brothers
arrived outside asking to speak to Him. First of all, it should be
noted that the word “brothers” in ancient Hebrew, Aramaic and other
languages did not necessarily mean siblings. The same word was used
to refer to anyone within the same extended family, such as
cousins. Therefore, it is clear that Jesus’ mother and some other
male relatives were coming to see Him.
Jesus uses that opportunity to continue teaching the crowd about
the family of God. He clearly states that we become a member of His
family simply by obeying the will of the Father in Heaven. Thus,
Jesus’ definition of family exceeds blood relationships to include
everyone who is spiritually united to Him through the unity of
their wills with that of the Father.
One reason this is so helpful to understand is because it reveals
to us our identity. God wants us to belong. He wants us to
understand who we are called to be. We are called to be children of
the Father, brothers and sisters of Christ, and even mothers and
fathers of our Lord in a spiritual sense. We become His mothers and
fathers in the sense that we bring Him into this world through our
obedience to the will of the Father.
Children, from the earliest ages, want to belong. They want
friends, they want to be included, they want to have relationships
with others. This innate desire is placed within us from the moment
of our creation and is central to who we are. And that desire can
only be completely fulfilled through our spiritual membership
within the family of God.
Think, for a moment, about your own desire for friendship.
Oftentimes when two people are the closest of friends, they refer
to each other as a brother or sister. The bond of friendship is
deeply fulfilling because this is what we are made for. But true
friendship, true spiritual family bonds, are only fulfilling in the
most pure form when they are relationships that result from our
unity with the will of the Father. When you are united with the
will of the Father and when another is also united to the will of
the Father, then this creates a family bond that fulfills on the
deepest level. And that bond not only unites us with other
Christians, it also deeply unites us with Jesus, as He mentions in
this Gospel passage.
Reflect, today, upon these words of Jesus as if they were a form of
invitation given to you. He is inviting you into His family. He
wants you to belong. He wants you to take your identity in Him. As
you seek to enter into full obedience to the will of the Father,
consider also the effect that that has on your relationships with
others who are also seeking to live the will of the Father. Rejoice
in the bond that your mutual obedience to God creates and savor
those bonds with much gratitude.
My loving Lord, You have established the human family for
unity and love. You invite all people to share in Your family in
love. I accept Your holy invitation, dear Lord, and pledge my
wholehearted obedience to the will of the Father in Heaven. As I
do, I rejoice in the reward of a deepening relationship with You
and with all who are united to You. Jesus, I trust in
You.
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Featured image above: The Holy Family with a Shepherd
By Titian, via Wikimedia Commons
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