24 September 2019 - those who hear and act

Today's Readings

(Audio)

He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers
are those who hear the word of God and act on it."

We can't prefer our own mother or father, brother or sister to Jesus and be his disciple (see Matthew 10:37). But this is only so that we can become like Jesus who prefers nothing to the will of his Father. Once this priority is first in our lives we discover a new relationship with Jesus and through him not only to the Father but also to all others who are in him.

Mary is the one who heard the word of God and acted on it more so than anyone else in the world. For this reason she is the mother of Jesus in both senses, natural and by faith. This is why Jesus wants to share her in a special way with us. 

Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus (see Revelation 12:17)

Relationships of blood are not unimportant, but they are relativized by the priorities of the Kingdom. Those who are close to us naturally may help our spiritual progress if we are so blessed but they may also hinder us if not. The relationships of the Kingdom are about one thing and have only one purpose. Our mother and brothers in the Kingdom will never slow us down or hold us back from following God. 

Let us continue to make progress in the building of the temple in our hearts and in the world, supported by this family, supported by the message of the prophets, according to the command of the God of Israel. We succeed and finish because we are ultimately about the one thing that matters. No lesser realities, however good, can interfere.

The children of Israel–priests, Levites,
and the other returned exiles–
celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.

We have the "compact unity" described by the psalmist. We have God as Father (as Abba!) and Jesus as our brother. Mary is not only the mother of Jesus but of all Christians. She wants to help us be good brothers and sisters of Jesus in this household. She teaches us just how to respond to the word of God. "Be it unto me according to thy word" (see Luke 1:38).

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.