16th Week in Ordinary Time (B) : Tuesday 23rd July 2024

Hearing Jesus’ question, “who is my mother, brother and sister?” Our reactive answer to discipleship means breaking of family ties (Mt4:22, 8:22, 10:37). In actual fact, it has to be closer, by extending further our relational duty. To do the Will of God is not breaking family ties. An African proverb which says, “A child is raised by a whole village,” exemplifies the inherent duty that no one is exempted from the Golden Rule – Love God and treat your neighbour as you want to be treated. The Prophet Micah re-iterated this in saying ‘pasture the flock’ entrusted to your care against all adversities. Perhaps Jesus’ question subtly means “If you accept Me, will you accept My Mother as your mother too?” Ultimately, our capacity for true discipleship is to acknowledge Mary being treated as the Mother of the disciples.

So, Jesus expounded discipleship as simply doing the Will of Father God. By doing God’s will we become God’s children, brothers, sisters and mother, the family who acknowledges God as the centre! Hence, clannish relationship does not guarantee an entrance to the kingdom of God, performing God’s will does. It connects us to Jesus’ assurance. Our commitment to the call of discipleship involves giving one’s services and joining a community – the visible Church, a community that is in mission, where Mary is Mother of the Church.

Lord, guide us that in performing our earthly roles sincerely we reflect Your ways of relating.