In today’s gospel passage, Mark describes Mary and other members of Jesus’ family as acting out of genuine concern for Him. However, the fact that we do something out of concern for someone doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the right thing to do. On this occasion, Jesus kept His distance from His mother and the other members of His family, despite their good intentions. When word came to Him that His mother and brothers and sisters were outside the house looking for Him, He said that those inside the house — His disciples — were His real family. There was an implied invitation to His mother and other family members to come inside and to become part of His new family.
Whoever does the will of God, we are promised, is Jesus’ brother and sister and mother. Mary and the other family members had to learn to set aside their own plans for Jesus and to yield to God’s will for Him. It is perhaps reassuring to be reminded that even for our Blessed Mother it was a struggle to live out the implications of the prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as in heaven.”
It is a daily struggle for all of us to give priority to what God wants, but it is a worthwhile effort; it is the Christian effort, and in that struggle, we are assured of the help of Jesus and Mary.+
Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Homily for Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr
Homily for Tuesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and companions, Martyrs
Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
Homily for the Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr
Homily for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Homily for Thursday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Wednesday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Tuesday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Memorial Day
Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Homily for Saturday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Friday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Thursday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
Homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost
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