Friday 17 July 2020

Today is Friday the 17 July in the 15th week of Ordinary Time.

Oculi mei ad Dominum Deum:  My eyes are on the Lord God.  Wherever I am right now, on the way to work, walking in the park, sitting at home… what can I see?  I remember for a moment that God is present in all of this, that all of this has been made by God, and is loved by God, that God holds me, and all of this, in the palm of his hand.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 12:46-50

While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ And pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’

Imagine yourself in today’s reading as either Jesus’ mother or one of his brothers... Where are you?
What can you see and hear around you?
Where is Jesus?
What does he look like?
What do you want to say to him?

You hear Jesus say: ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’
What do you think Jesus means?
How do these words make you feel?
How do you respond to Jesus?

As you listen again imagine yourself this time alongside Jesus - as one of his disciples. He is speaking directly to you. What do you hear him say this time about family?
How do you respond to his words for you?

In these last moments ponder what it means for you to be a follower of Jesus and part of God’s family.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.