In His Will
Jesus teaches, clear and bright,
Doing God’s will is our guiding light.
Above all bonds, our hearts align,
In God’s embrace, our spirits shine.
Seek His guidance, day by day,
In every step, in every way.
His spiritual family, we become,
United in faith, we are one.
Embrace each other, hand in hand,
Regardless of where we stand.
Beyond the surface, look and see,
The broader truths of you and me.
In every moment, big or small,
God’s principles, we heed the call.
Teach and learn, with hearts so pure,
In His love, we find our cure.
REFLECTION:
"Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Matthew 12:50)
Jesus teaches us that doing the will of God is paramount. This means that our relationship with God should take precedence over all other relationships. It encourages us to seek and follow God’s guidance in our daily lives. Those who follow God’s will are part of His spiritual family. We should embrace and support each other, regardless of our backgrounds, as we are all united in our faith. It is important to look beyond the surface and understand the broader implications of our actions and relationships. Let us be attentive to everyday moments and use them as opportunities to teach and learn about God’s principles.
Lord Jesus,
You teach us that doing the will of God is paramount.
Help us to place our relationship with You above all others,
Seeking and following Your guidance in our daily lives.
May we be part of Your spiritual family,
Embracing and supporting each other,
Regardless of our backgrounds,
United in our faith and love for You.
Grant us the wisdom to look beyond the surface,
To understand the broader implications of our actions and relationships.
Let us be attentive to everyday moments,
Using them as opportunities to teach and learn about Your principles.
Guide us, Lord, in Your truth and love,
That we may live righteously and draw closer to You each day.
Amen.
Pericope:
IV: Opposition from Israel
THE TRUE FAMILY OF JESUS
Matthew 12:46-50
Gospel Acclamation
Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and we will come to him.
Gospel | Matthew 12:46-50
46 While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” 48 But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Background:
In Matthew 12:46-50, Jesus uses an opportunity to teach about the true nature of spiritual family. Here’s a brief background:
While Jesus was speaking to a crowd, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak with Him. Someone informed Jesus about their presence, but instead of going out to meet them, Jesus used the moment to make a significant point. He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and 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".
This passage highlights a few key points:
Spiritual Kinship: Jesus emphasizes that spiritual relationships, based on doing God’s will, are as important as biological ones.
Inclusivity: By referring to His disciples as His family, Jesus broadens the concept of family to include all who follow God’s will.
Teaching Moment: Jesus often used everyday situations to impart deeper spiritual truths, making His teachings relatable and impactful.
This teaching is also paralleled in Mark 3:31-35 and Luke 8:19-211.
Learning Lessons:
Matthew 12:46-50 offers several profound lessons that can be applied to our lives:
Prioritizing God’s Will: Jesus teaches that doing the will of God is paramount. This means that our relationship with God should take precedence over all other relationships. It encourages us to seek and follow God’s guidance in our daily lives.
Spiritual Family: Jesus redefines the concept of family, emphasizing that those who follow God’s will are part of His spiritual family. This reminds us that our faith community is an essential support system, and we should nurture these relationships with love and care.
Inclusivity and Unity: By extending the idea of family to all who do God’s will, Jesus promotes inclusivity and unity among believers. This lesson encourages us to embrace and support each other, regardless of our backgrounds, as we are all united in our faith.
Teaching Through Actions: Jesus often used real-life situations to impart spiritual truths. This passage shows the importance of being attentive to everyday moments and using them as opportunities to teach and learn about God’s principles.
Compassion and Understanding: Jesus’ response to His biological family waiting outside shows that He was not dismissing them but rather highlighting a deeper spiritual truth. It teaches us to look beyond the surface and understand the broader implications of our actions and relationships.
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot