The Holy Gospel according to Matthew (12:46-50).
While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.”
But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father
is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection: Today is the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This memorial finds its origins in a 2nd century apocryphal source, the Protoevangelion of James. This source tells us that Saints Joachim and Anne brought their their daughter Mary, to the temple in Jerusalem and dedicated her to God. This showed that from the earliest days of her life, Mary was set apart for service to the Lord.
Today’s Gospel is for this memorial. At first glance into today’s Gospel, Jesus seems to be distancing Himself from His mother and family. But the Church teaches that Jesus is actually showing us something deeper, the importance of doing His Father’s will. Jesus is not diminishing Mary, because she is the perfect example of Jesus teaching. Mary has always done the Father’s will, as she says in the Annunciation in Luke’s Gospel, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” Mary is the model disciple who shows us all what it means to belong to Jesus’ family.
For us, this Gospel is both comforting and challenging. It comforts us because Jesus opens the door for us. All of us can belong to His family, no matter our past or background. God’s family is not limited by blood, culture or status. It challenges us because our “yes” is about listening to God’s word and allowing it to shape our choices, relationships, and priorities and living our lives accordingly.
This memorial expresses a profound truth that from the beginning, Mary belonged to the Lord. This memorial and today’s Gospel are a reminder to each one of us that we are also called to be “presented” to the Lord every day.
Action for the Day: Pray for the grace to get closer to Jesus, to be a part of His followers and family. We do this by living our lives as Christ lived his life, by serving others. Pray for the intercession of Mary to help us receive this grace.
Audio Reflection:
Thank you, Deacon Mike. As always your reflections are clear and to the point as well as thought-provoking. God bless.