While he 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.”
This event gave Jesus the opportunity to explain to his disciples the difference between those who accepted his word and followed him and those who do not accept him and are ‘standing outside’ of the kingdom (v. 46-47). His true family is “Those who hear the word of God and act on it (Lk. 8:21).” Jesus’ comments were not meant to subordinate the natural family or family ties, but to stress the importance of the ties that each member of the community he was forming should have with each other. On stretching out his hands towards his disciples, Jesus made an inclusive gesture (v. 49) that was also used in healing, for blessing (Lk. 24:50), and to indicate conferring of the Holy Spirit. Those who obey God and demonstrate their obedience through action are his true disciples (v. 50). Family ties were elevated to the privilege of belonging to the family of God being created by Jesus.
Almighty God, through our Baptism we became members of the Body of Christ, and by obedience to your commandments and living your word, we hope in the promise of everlasting live in your Kingdom. Grant us the fortitude to remain in your grace and the wisdom to avoid all worldly deception. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Expanded Edition, Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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