Happy Memorial of St. Padre Pio!
This morning, I offer a reflection on the daily readings, specifically the Gospel (Luke 8:19-21). In today’s Gospel, we encounter the intriguing moment when the Virgin Mary and the brothers of the Lord try to work their way through the crowd to reach Jesus. I find it fascinating because, when alerted that His mother and brothers are trying to see Him, Jesus doesn’t say, “Bring them in!” Instead, He uses this opportunity to make a profound point, declaring to the crowd, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
At first glance, this might seem scandalous. Is Jesus suggesting His mother is of no special importance? Critics of the Church’s teachings on Mary often use this verse to argue just that, but beneath the surface lies a much deeper truth.
Jesus is extending an extraordinary invitation: those who follow the will of God can become part of His family. They are welcomed into the very family of God Himself. I can’t think of another religion that proposes such a concept—to be family with God. What a powerful reality! As the Christian mystery unfolded, we came to understand that through Baptism, we are adopted into God’s family. Here in Luke, Jesus lays the groundwork for this theology.
God doesn’t want us to be mere servants, nor does He treat us as toys created for His amusement. Our destiny, our purpose, is far greater: to become part of God’s family, united with Him in a way that seems almost unimaginable. It’s easy to wonder if God truly loves us. How could He? The answer is simple yet profound: He loves us as He loves His own family, with a love that endures through trials and tribulations, even more perfectly than our earthly families. To receive this love, all we must do is hear the word of God and act on it. It’s not enough to simply know Jesus is Lord; God calls us to live out this revelation, to love as He loves, because true love requires choosing to love.