Tuesday 22 September 2020

Today is Tuesday the 22 September, in the Twenty fifth week of Ordinary Time. 

‘Christ be near at either hand’. Let me make these simple words my prayer today. Let me know Christ’s presence in my life, Christ’s closeness to me in every moment of this day, and let me welcome that presence with an open heart.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 8:19-21 

Then the mother and brothers of Jesus came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you."  But he said to them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it." 

Jesus may be the founder of a religion known for its “family values”, but he sometimes says some surprisingly negative things about families.  Why might it be that he seemingly dismisses the demands of his family with these words? What is it that is more important to Jesus than blood ties and family loyalty?

“My mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”  How do you react to these words?  Can you hear this offer being made to you?  This offer to become a mother or brother of Jesus?

This was quite a shocking thing for Jesus to say.  So, as you hear the passage read again, imagine the scene, the crowds milling around, Jesus’s mother and brothers: the look on their faces as they try to get to him, the look on his face as he says these words, their reaction and the reaction of the crowd.

How do you want to respond to this offer to become a mother or brother of Jesus by hearing the word of God and keeping it? Talk to the Lord about this now.  

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.