Faith and family dynamics (A morning meditation)

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Gospel: Mark 3: 31-35

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house.
Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.
A crowd seated around him told him,
“Your mother and your brothers and your sisters
are outside asking for you.”
But he said to them in reply,
“Who are my mother and my brothers?”
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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There’s a Chinese proverb that says, “Not one family can put a sign outside their home with the words: No Problems Here.”

Not one family, not even the Holy Family, is free from conflict.

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In the Gospel, for example, Jesus is preaching inside someone’s home, when all of a sudden Mary and some other family members appear wanting to speak with him.

They’re not there to ask Jesus if he’s coming home for dinner. They’re anxious and worried about his safety. They knew Jesus’ teachings could get him into trouble with the authorities, so they’ve come to protect him.

Mark’s Gospel adds a further detail, noting Jesus’ family members think, “He’s out of his mind!”

A jarring reminder that even those closest to Jesus struggle to accept who he is, both God and man.

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Not one family – not even the Holy Family – can say, “No problems here.”

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What problems am I facing at home? Or, what causes stress in my family?

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Maybe it’s finances; the stress from being quarantined; or learning and working from home. Or, like the Holy Family, maybe we struggle to accept one of our own.

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“A house divided amongst itself cannot stand,” Jesus says.

On the contrary, a house united must be built upon the solid foundation of faith, openness, love, and respect.

May the Lord expand our hearts this morning to embrace our families – and all the struggles we endure. 

While we cannot say, “No problems here,” with grace we can say, “All are welcome.”

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