Word to the Wise
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - Tuesday in the 25th Week in Ordinary Time
[Prov 21:1-6, 10-13 and Luke 8:19-21]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]
When I was a kid, there was a bit of humor that went this way: God is my Father, Mary is my mother, Jesus is my brother. I come from a very religious family!" In the MIddle Eastern culture in which Jesus was immersed and lived, family, clan and tribe were the fundamental social units. The individualism that is characteristic of our secular American culture was unknown. Scripture scholars have pointed out that there may have been some claims to authority in the early Christian community exerted by members of Jesus' family. On the other hand, there is some evidence that his family was none too pleased with his ministry. In the Gospel According to Mark 3:21, 31-35, the reason why Jesus' family was waiting outside to see him was that they wanted to "seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." Jesus' reply makes it clear that discipleship even transcends family bonds! He also points out that discipleship may cause family divisions. [Luke 12:53]
This can create some very difficult pastoral challenges when sincerely-held religious belief threatens powerful natural or personal bonds. I have known situations in campus ministry in which religious organizations lay claim to a student's allegiance to the point that they cut off the student from family contact! I have also known family situations where a member got so "involved" with the local parish that family "duties" were being neglected.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to these challenges. I have known children to be disowned by parents for religious reasons! Some religious groups practice a form of "shunning" for members who do not meet certain standards. It takes a lot of patience, faith, love of God AND neighbor and discernment to find the acceptance and understanding that will let the parties maintain a healthy and loving bond. Jesus' own family struggled with this and so do we! AMEN