Family of the Creator

‘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

When we are baptized, we are made part of a family that is bigger than our birth family, our community and our tribes. We are related through the love of God, our Creator, who connects us, renews us and sustains us. Jesus' family is bigger than his immediate kin. And so is ours. We are responsible for the care of many, and they too are bound to us. Jesus speaks to the people, not rejecting his own but rather widening the circle of belonging and connection. In my tribal tradition, we are made up of seven clans and are spread out across the country, yet we all belong. Like the tribe, we belong and are responsible for others in the love of God, which is a gift which is always shared.

Gracious Creator, we are all your family

from every hidden corner of the earth 

from the four winds and every place

we are called to share your love abroad.

Too often we live as if we were a club

where some are kept outside and shunned

yet you made the outcasts your family

and called us to share our lives with them.

Make us your family today, dear Lord

so that we might do the will of the Creator

so that we might love others as you do

living to serve and care for everyone. Amen.