Spiritual Family is Superior

 

The family of Jesus Christ breaks boundaries.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday of 25th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, September 26th, 2023
Texts: Ezra 6:7-8.12.14-20; Psalm 122:1-5; Luke 8:19-21 

Jesus Christ, in today’s gospel reading, rates spiritual family above natural family. This teaches us that spiritual family is superior to natural family. Why? It is because spiritual family is for higher purpose, the obedience to higher authority. We join spiritual family to obey God whose authority is higher than that of our parents. Hence, Jesus Christ teaches us to choose obedience to God over obedience to any authority on earth. This is because God is our Lord and creator.  

In case we are confused of the company to follow, Jesus provides the answer, today. Jesus Christ teaches us to prefer the company of those who keep and do God’s word. He says, “My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it." There is a saying that goes thus: “show me your friends, I will tell you who you are.” Just like Jesus Christ we are to keep the company of those who keep and do God’s word. Keeping the company of those who Keep and do God’s word helps us to keep and do God’s word. 

The question of relation with Jesus

Jesus Christ also solves the question of relation with Him. He tells us that his family members are those who keep and do God’s word. This means we have relation with Him by keeping and doing God’s word. We have no relation with Him when we fail to keep and do God’s word. Hence, today, we are to examine where we stand with Jesus Christ. Is it by bearing the name Christian? Is it by praying to Him or going to Church? Relation with Jesus is not by praying to Him or going to Church. It is not also by bearing the name Christian. It is by keeping and doing God’s word.  

We learn from today’s first reading that the family of Jesus Christ breaks boundaries. It breaks social, cultural, political, racial, ethnic and economic boundaries. Cyrus and Darius kept and did the word of God. We read, “They finished their building by command of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia”. Hence, in Jesus Christ there is no discrimination. In the words of St. Paul: “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall” (Eph. 2:14). 

Prayer  

God our Father, we now know that we are truly Your children by keeping and doing Your word; implant in our hearts the love of Your word, that we may keep and do it. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke