Commitment is the cornerstone of discipleship

Good morning, happy Tuesday, and many blessings.

In today’s Gospel (Mark 3:31-35) we learn about how Jesus’ family reached the house where he was.  They have probably come from Nazareth. From there to Capernaum there is a distance of forty kilometers. His mother also comes with them. They do not enter, but they send a messenger: “Look, Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for You!” Jesus’ reaction is clear: “Who are My mother and My brothers?” And He Himself responds by turning to look toward the crowd who is there around Him: “Here are My mother and My brothers! Anyone who does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother!”  

This is the lesson: Jesus is still in the house, surrounded by a crowd. His family arrive on the scene, but they cannot get near him. We already know that they disapprove of what he is doing and want to restrain him. Some in the crowd alert Jesus to their presence outside. But Jesus remains inside with his disciples (for safety?) and uses the occasion to give a radical (subversive?) teaching on the meaning of family.

Is Jesus rejecting his own mother and family? Not at all, but he is reminding his disciples that there is a kinship that takes priority over blood relations. It is center on a radical call to be like him. Relationship with him brings intimacy, like that of a mother, brother, or sister.

An increasing gulf is opening up between Jesus’ natural family (outside) and his family of faith, i.e. all who do the will of God (inside). Tension is inevitable between the two. But is the gulf unbridgeable? Might some in his natural family be doing the will of God? Where does Mary stand in all of this? She too is kept outside.

Also, this Gospel help understand how commitment is a cornerstone of discipleship and it is actually the cornerstone of any endeavor in life that holds meaning. Commitment is a fundamental attitude for the good fulfillment of the Christian mission in the world. Without commitment it is impossible to follow Christ as a disciple. First, commit to God - whoever does the will of God. What is different about your life now that you have given it to God? Discipleship is the decision that doing God’s will is of supreme importance. Not just a partial interest. But also, commit to the people of God. - is my brother and sister and mother. Discipleship is not an individual journey in every way - it is also a team journey, taken with others who love God. Loving and serving others on the way.

Jesus' mother and brothers did not always understand what he was about but in listening to him, wanting to be close to him, they show us what loving discipleship is. Jesus does not put limits on belonging, instead his embrace is prepared to take in all who do God’s will. I ask God to help me to broaden my horizons, not to let me be limited by a narrow scope of what is comfortable.

Today I want us to meditate on these questions that can help us to be better disciples: What place and what influence does the community have in my way of living the faith? Today, in the large city, overcrowding promotes individualism which is at odds with life in community. What am I doing to counteract this? How does one reconcile personal physical safety with community involvement in these urban areas?

Blessings,

Fr. Luis+