Tuesday 19 July 2022

Today is Tuesday the 19th July, in the 16th week of Ordinary Time.

Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Abide with Me’. As you hear these words, can you hear that invitation from the Lord to be near to Him?

Abide with me: fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, O abide with me
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O thou who changest not, abide with me
I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 12:46-50

While he 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.’

The action in this passage happens just before Jesus begins the parables of the Kingdom. In these parables, Jesus suggests that not everyone will understand his teaching and considers that there is a difference between the crowd member and the disciple, the one who stands on the margins and the one at his feet. This relationship is grown in faith not blood. There can be no sense of entitlement; the invitation is for everyone.

We don’t really hear what Mary’s response is to Jesus’ ministry, especially as it became more radical. Mary must have understood the risk. She had lost her nephew, John, because of his challenge to authority. Is it this anxiety that brings her to the door rather than to his side?

What are your feelings about this scene?

As you listen to the passage again, hear this invitation to be at the Lord’s side. Reflect on your response.

In this time of prayer, share with the Lord your own concerns and anxieties.

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.