Word to the Wise
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - Tuesday in the 25th Week in Ordinary Time
[Ezra 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20 and Luke 8:19-21,1074]The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you." He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it." [Luke]
The Gospel of Mark tells us that the reason Jesus' mother and brothers were seeking to speak with him is that they wanted to seize him. They were not happy about what he was doing! In other words, even his own kin rejected him at first. Thus Jesus makes a statement that challenges both his kin and all other disciples. True kinship with Jesus means hearing the word of God and acting on it!
This is more than accident of birth or simple "agreement with!" Jesus is not offering a club to join or a political party. He is offering a way of life that is identified with the way he lives and teaches. There has to be "hearing" and "acting." One occasionally hears the words: "I'll sign the manifesto as long as I don't have to go to any meetings or go to parties or demonstrations!" If that is what one thinks of Christianity, one is seriously mistaken! In the Gospel of Luke, the continual warnings about the dangers of material wealth should make a disciple take a serious look at lifestyle and sharing! In the Gospel of Matthew, the scene in Chapter 25 of the Final Judgment that speaks of feeding the hungry, etc. as acting directly on Jesus would be another example of hearing and acting.
The gospel goes deep, beyond DNA and beyond intellectual acceptance. It touches our resolve and motivation. We have to sit still to hear, but once we hear, we have to get up and act! AMEN