Daily Catholic Lectio
Tue, 21 July 2026
XVI Week in Ordinary Time
Mic 7:14-15, 18-20. Mt 12:46-50
Standing Outside
The mother and brothers of Jesus come to speak with Him. But before they speak, Jesus Himself speaks. While Jesus is speaking to the crowd, someone notices His mother and brothers standing outside and tells Him. Matthew records that Jesus gives His answer to that person.
Why does Jesus give His answer to him?
I understand this event in this way.
That person was listening to the words of Jesus. Therefore, he was already in a Kingdom relationship with Him. But when he saw the mother and brothers of Jesus, perhaps he felt, without realising it, that he was somehow outside. He may have thought that although he was listening to Jesus and was in a Kingdom relationship with Him, there was another relationship that was closer: blood relationship. At that moment, he may have felt that his own place was lower.
But Jesus says: “Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Through this, on one side, Jesus shows that Mary fulfilled the will of God, which is greater than blood relationship. On the other side, He teaches that Kingdom relationship is greater than blood relationship.
Blood relationship often separates us from others. Our community and group identities are usually strengthened through blood and marriage relationships. Such relationships can create divisions among us. But Kingdom relationship unites us with others.
Today’s Gospel gives us three lessons.
First, like the person who spoke to Jesus, am I able to recognise others and bring them to the attention of Jesus? Why do I hesitate?
Second, doing the will of God is the doorway to Kingdom relationship.
Third, when I enter into Kingdom relationship, it is wrong for me to create divisions between myself and others.
In the first reading, the prophet Micah says that the Lord God has cast the sins of the people into the depths of the sea. The people of Israel experienced the overflowing mercy of the Lord. The relationship between the Lord and His people was not a blood relationship or a marriage relationship. It was a Kingdom relationship.
Those who cling only to blood relationship and marriage relationship must remain outside. Or, as long as we stand outside, we are still clinging only to blood and marriage relationships. When we enter inside, we enter into Kingdom relationship with Jesus.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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