Family

‘When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting-place, but it finds none. Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation.’ While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ And pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’ Matthew 12:43-50

In an uncomfortable moment, Jesus seems to reject his family, choosing his followers as his family. History and time have erased the real lived circumstances, and the scriptures often leave out helpful clues. Yet, we have all, at one time or another, told someone that they are family. Some of us have friends and colleagues who are more family than our blood relations. Families are complicated, and this passage has often made me uncomfortable. I suspect, Jesus was trying to get a point across, and the interruption annoyed him. He was calling all of them family, without regard for religious status, earned authority or station in life. Those who follow Jesus, will be filled with the Holy Spirit and made one family, even in times of great crisis and pain. 

Gracious Creator, you have placed us in families

and you live among us despite our conflicts

sending you Spirit again and again to heal us.

We love being righteous and on the winning side

we tear down others to put ourselves in authority

losing all of the family we have been called to love.

Help us, Lord, today, to live as one loving family

forgiving one another and accepting our faults

living as servants to the needs of the whole world. Amen.