Daily Reflection Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

This past weekend I attended my niece’s engagement party. Halfway through the party my brother-in-law stood up and raised a glass to the happy couple. He was welcoming his future son-in-law Rob, into the family and it was beautiful. Later Rob, with my niece at his side, thanked everyone for coming and for welcoming him into the family and he thanked my sister and brother-in-law calling them Mr. and Mrs. At that my brother-in-law quickly yelled “its mom and dad now and never forget that you are part of our family.” Rob got all teary eyed, he knew he was marrying into our family, but now he truly felt welcomed and loved by all of us there. That is what today’s gospel is all about, family.

Jesus was not ignoring his immediate family he was welcoming more people into the family. Jesus wants everyone who hears God's word and acts on it to be part of the family, his family. And there lies the challenge, acting on the word of God. 

Through our baptism we become part of a family with 1.36 billion brothers and sisters. How is that for a big family? You would think with that many relatives, to call on for help, we could radically change the world and yet we do not. We are too busy pointing out each other’s differences instead of recognizing all we have in common. And the most important thing we all have in common is our faith and our most important relative is Jesus! 

Jesus gave us many examples of how to treat family. He welcomed everyone he met, was quick to forgive and loved all. We too are called to live out the gospel and bring others into the family of God. We can only do this by treating all like family. Everyone we meet should feel like Rob did when he realized how much he is loved and welcomed by our family. And while I am sure my brother-in-law is happy that he does not have to have 1.36 billion guests at the wedding, he is even happier that our family is growing. 

Can you imagine how happy Jesus feels each time we welcome and treat another like family.