Daily Catholic Lectio. Tue, 28 January ’25. Motherhood and brotherhood

Daily Catholic Lectio

Tue, 28 January ‘25

Third Week in Ordinary Time –  Tuesday

Hebrews 10:1-10. Psalm 40. Mark 3:31-35

Motherhood and brotherhood

Human relationships can be categorized as blood relationships, marital relationships, and friendships. Each of these relationships involves sacrifice, commitment, and presence. However, today’s Gospel introduces us to a divine relationship that surpasses these three levels.

When Jesus is told, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside asking for you,” He responds by defining His true family as those who “do the will of God.”

This response highlights that Mary is not only a mother in a physical sense but also a spiritual mother, and it opens the door for everyone to enter this spiritual relationship.

The relationship with God operates on three levels: (a) Seekers of Jesus – Those who surrounded Jesus came seeking Him. (b) Followers of Jesus – The disciples who followed Jesus when He called them. (c) Doers of God’s Will – Those who set aside their own desires to fulfil God’s will.

What does “will” mean here? Desire and effort work together to shape our will. Our passions guide our actions. When God becomes our passion, we naturally fulfill His will.

At times, we may not know what we truly desire. How do we discover God’s will?

In today’s first reading, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” This reflects Jesus’ mission on earth.

By fulfilling God’s will, Jesus becomes the brother of all humankind.

By fulfilling God’s will, Mary becomes the Mother of God.

Just as blood relationships, marital relationships, and friendships are significant, the divine relationship forged by doing God’s will is even more profound.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy