Mother and Brothers

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you."
He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."            

The family was very important in the time of Christ.  The family is the centerpiece of  God's creation, it is important to Him so it has to be important to us. Look at the Old Testament.  In its many stories, it speaks about the family of Adam, the family of Abraham, the family of Moses and so on.  Very seldom will you find a person in the Bible where their families do not form an integral part of the story.  Look at the story of Job.  It is when his family, his sons, and his daughters are killed that he takes to the sack-cloth and ashes. So, if the family is so important, then why does it seem that Jesus is being rude to his and keeping them outside and away from Him? 

Jesus was not being rude.  He was using those he loved the most as a tool to teach his audience that while relationships here on earth are important indeed, they pale when it comes to the relationship we should cultivate between ourselves and God.  We should love our family but our love for God, when compared to this love, should pale by comparison.  Jesus did not disown his Mother, at the cross while in the midst of his death by the worst way known to humans at that time, he took tender care of Mary by placing her into the care of John who took her into his home from that point on. 

For heaven's sake, love your family.  Those of us without families envy you and I pray that you and your family remain together through the years, that there be no "black sheep" that is not ignored and sent outside the pasture, and that love and forgiveness are always there for the errant one.  But I also remind you to tend to your relationship with God and His kingdom for in doing so you will help bring about joy for all of the people in the world.  You can do it. Start today - I mean right now.  

Pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory today for tomorrow you might find yourself among them and needing prayers yourself.  Be generous to the Poor Souls and pray devoutly for them.  It will always be remembered by them and they will be your friend forever.  Remember especially those that have no one to pray for them, those who have been forgotten by their relatives, Protestants whose relatives do not believe in Purgatory, and those souls who have been in Purgatory the longest.  Praying for the dead is a spiritual act of mercy and it pleases God greatly when you take time to do it.  Please remember them today and pray for them, if only for a minute.  Bring the refreshment of your love for them as a cool drink of water to moisten their lips.