Day 16 of Ignatian Reflection

July 16, 2014- Reflection on the Gospel Reading: Matthew 12:46-50

46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and 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 Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Reflection:

Jesus addresses His disciples as His brothers, and Mary, His mother. They are His companions in making known God’s perfect will and plan. As He said, “…For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

What does it mean to be a “Christian”? It is being another Christ in the world by doing God’s will. It is more than knowing that a supreme being exists among us. It is more than merely believing in Jesus Christ and admiring His sacrificial act that saved us from sin. To be a Christian is to understand that the Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit – is a community of love that shows the most perfect of all relationships. We are invited to be part of a rather Divine relationship with Him and His Father by asking our help to fully establish the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth by creating connections and nurture relationships with others that is rooted in God’s perfect love.

Jesus’ message, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother” is actually an invitation to build a relationship with Him and God the Father. We become family by doing the will of the Father.

It is a loving and welcoming invitation especially to Gentiles then that salvation and union with God is offered to everyone.

Establishing a relationship means making time for others, getting to know others and finding ways to express our sincere concern and love for others. If we are to have this relationship with God , it entails spending time knowing, loving and serving Him by loving and serving others, and this is the essence of beaing  “mother, brother and sister” to others.

Jesus’ words serve as a call for us to turn to Him, pick up our cross, and follow Him. Through this, we are able to acknowledge the higher reality that we are not just human beings, but God’s beloved children. Through Jesus, we are reunited with our Creator who constantly seeks for ways to call us.

Reflection Questions:

1.      How do we respond to God’s call to be “brother, sister and mother to others?

2.      How do we build and nurture our relationship with God and others through our daily lives?

3.      Do we extend the same invitation to know ,love and serve God to others?

Reflection by: Jed Diamante

4th Year- Xavier