What does it mean to be related to Jesus? In today’s Gospel Jesus puts this question to the crowd: “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Jesus replies that whoever does God’s will is related to him. We see in this seemingly harsh and almost disrespectful saying of Jesus the core of his teaching. What comes before all, even before family relationships, is God and the will of God. Jesus teaches this in prayer: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10). We see this in Jesus’ own prayer: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). We see this is Jesus’ saying about the cost of discipleship:
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39).
Jesus calls us to follow his way of putting God’s will before all things, even before our own family and our very self. When we put God’s will and way first, we will show compassion, love, and forgiveness to family, friends, and even enemies.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, did this as she accepted God’s invitation to her: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38). We are called today to be a disciple like Mary by putting God’s will before my desires, my gut reaction or first impulse. When we pray to God: “Thy will be done,” we are declaring that we are true relatives of God. Like Mary, we are servants of our heavenly Father.