This Gospel reading can raise questions. If Mary is celebrated as “ever virgin,” how are we to understand this reference to his “brothers and sisters?” (v. 47). And why does not Jesus immediately recognize his mother, who is waiting outside for him?
To answer the first question, the Church has always understood this to be a reference to “close relations of Jesus,” as the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us (CCC, 500).
As for the second question, Jesus is making a point to his disciples. His followers are a new family of faith, sharing a kinship in their desire to follow him so long as they seek to do the will of his heavenly Father. Of course, Mary, who gave her own fiat, willingly surrendering to the will of the Lord, would have understood this point immediately. Jesus is directing his words to his disciples and to us.
Praying that all the LFF will sleep with the angels tonight and rise up with the saints!To Jane, Ken, Stormy, Salina, BillL, BillS, Cheryl, Pam, Irene, Vicky, Rusty, Nancy, Freeter, Lia, AaronD.,Marko, A sinner, Vincent, GHH, Troy, RSR, Stephanie, Christine, Debbie, Anna and I apologize if I’ve forgotten anyone. And all the Living Faith writers and and the great folks who put this all together! Respect and Gratitude
Who is like You, Lord God? Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 * removes guilt * pardons sin * does not persist in anger forever * delights in clemency * have compassion * treading underfoot our guilt and cast into the depths of the sea all our sins * show faithfulness and grace!!! *** Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ! You rule, reign and revive ♥️✝️♥️ So who is Your mother? Who are Your brothers? Matthew 12:50, “Anyone who does what My Father in heaven wants is my brother or sister or mother.”
Sharing with you, “ DAY TWENTY-ONE “...for your righteous acts have been revealed.” *** READ “Who will not fear You, Lord, and bring glory to Your Name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.” Revelation 15:4 “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.’” Revelation 16:1 *** REFLECT In Revelation 15 and 16, John sees two distinct visions—each highlighting God’s ultimate authority over evil, sin, and death. In Revelation 15, God’s people stand victorious after withstanding the beast who “...was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them” (Revelation 13:7). They sing, “Who will not fear You, Lord, and bring glory to Your Name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.” In Revelation 16, God’s final judgment is poured forth. Toward the end of the chapter, a loud voice from the throne said, “It is done!’” (Revelation 16:17). These images of God’s judgment remind us that He is in control. Just as His power through the cross defeated sin and death, God’s judgment assures us that final victory is His to command. *** PRAY In what ways do you feel discouraged by sin’s effects on the culture around you? When we feel like the world is spiraling into chaos, Revelation reminds us that God takes sin’s devastation seriously. Take some time to share your fears for the future with God. Repeat Revelation 15:4 as a prayer: “Who will not fear You, Lord, and bring glory to Your Name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.””
Thank you, Greg, for starting this spirited discussion. It's good to have these comments today to stir our feelings for the love of our Lord. Prayers for all those in need of a little more help these days. Ken, enjoy your new decade!
Irene you are certainly correct. Living faith family today's Padre Pio saying I will share. Padre Pio Statement for today. "Do not be so Completely dedicated to Martha's activity that you forget the silence or self. Abandonment of Mary may the holy Virgin, who combines these 2 duties so well, be your model and your inspiration." Moving on to another decade today. Ken Ken
Happy, Happy New Decade Ken! Salute and Celebrating you today!
Thank you Greg for your beautiful reflection this morning. As Jesus said in the Gospel; Whoever does the will of my Father are my brothers, Sisters and Mother. Have a wonderful day to everyone in the LFF and those they love. As per Ken: let us pray for the souls in purgatory and those who have no one to pray for them.
Irene I agree Jesus asked John to take her in his home as his mother. Dan. Search Got question find out who they are and read disclaimers . As long as we believe in Jesus and the word of God and treat people with respect and kindness, we are doing what God wants. That's my story and I am sticking to it. Ken
I’m sticking to your story too, Ken.
Dear Readers, Just a reminder that the perpetual virginity of Mary, and that Mary only gave birth to Jesus within that understanding, with no other biological children, is a settled Catholic doctrine. This devotion received theological review and received an imprimatur prior to its printing and posting. The writer of this devotion gave good advice regarding the Catechism of the Catholic Church—a reference tool that is chiefly based on Scripture—that is recommended reading for all seeking a Catholic perspective on Scripture and other topics related to faith and morals.
Mark 12:15-17, “Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew what they were trying to do. So He asked, “Why are you trying to trap Me? Bring Me a silver coin. Let Me look at it.” They brought the coin. He asked them, “Whose picture is this? And whose words?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. And give back to God what belongs to God.”They were amazed at Him!” I agree!!!
Catholic schooling through Franciscan nuns—-they taught that Joseph was much older than Mary and had a family before he was betrothed to her. I think because he was an established carpenter as opposed to a youth of her own age who would be mentoring still. With that said it is reasonable to believe he had children from his first marriage which would make them “step-siblings” to Jesus. Like today with a 50% divorce rate in the U.S. and then remarriage common, Jesus would have referred to those siblings simply as “sisters and brothers” (I hear in my life all the time “my sister, my brother” and later learn they are “steps”). Family is who you make of it and I think that is what Jesus is saying here. Blood ties can be tight but I have cousins we grew up with that are considered brothers and are only defined as cousins on a family genealogy tree but in language their children are my nieces and nephews (although it would be genealogically defined as “first cousins once removed”). Translations take a big part but more so is the societal norms of times. Again I have a brother who adopted two boys. They are no blood relation to anyone in the family but our legal system defines them as “brothers, cousins, nephews” to our family. I never say my “adopted nephews” they are just my nephews. Just a little insight into historical study and sociology 101. For all we don’t understand or maybe think we understand but need to clarify some beliefs that are different than ours, we can go to The Lord in prayer and ask “what here are you saying to ME Lord and how shall I use it for Your good?”
Great lesson on types of genealogy, Vicky. Very interesting. May Our Lord Jesus bless you today and every day.
VickyG great explanation. Great news Nancy I will still keep you and Cass in my prayers. Saint Bridget is my patron saint. Jane hope things are settling down at work. Kjc
Greg appreciate the thought of being part of God's family. We are to seek His will and share His love with everyone we meet. LFF thanks for all the prayers and support for Cass. She got great news yesterday, no radiation treatment and in 2 to 3 months reconstruction will start. God has blessed her through every step of this journey. May God continue to use her to help others as they embark on the same journey. Have a blessed day.
Wow! Great news about Cass, Nancy. Praying that she continues to heal, gain strength and live a healthy life again. Praise the Lord! Hi Ken, Happy Feast Day! Is Bridget your middle name?
That is great news, Nancy. Thank you for sharing with us. Praying for continued healing and complete recovery and successful reconstruction.
Have a blessed day, Freeter! :)
I would hope that all thoughts, comments, prayers and teaching are welcome in this space. I believe this is what Jesus had in mind as He traveled from village to village, speaking to the people. May we share His grace, wisdom and love with eachother as we open our hearts with honest questions about faith. Let the Holy Spirit guide us in our journey.
Instead of taking the Bible as what is says, the church tap dances around the truth. Yes, Mary had other children. In fact, they named some of the brothers and mention sisters elsewhere.
John 17:15-19, “I (Jesus) do not pray that You (God the Father) will take them out of the world. I pray that You will keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to it. Use the truth to make them holy. Your Word is truth. You sent Me into the world. In the same way, I have sent them into the world. I make myself holy for them so that they too can be made holy by the truth!”
Matthew 1:24-25, “When Joseph rose from sleep, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him. He took Mary into his home as his wife, but he engaged in no marital relations with her until she gave birth to a son, whom he named Jesus.” *** My husband engaged in no marital relations with me until we got married 40 years ago in December!
Troy I highly recommend that you read up on this sort of thing before posting about it. https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/b/brothers-of-jesus.php#:~:text=In Mark 6:3, the,the women watching the crucifixion. This is a pretty good article I found that seems decently unbiased. To summarize some of the points in the article that were in favor of Mary's virginity, the languages of ancient Hebrew and Aramaic do not distinguish between brothers/sisters and other close relations. One was either in the family circle or not. Even though the bibles we have were written in Greek, they could have been based on earlier Hebrew or Aramaic writings, additionally, the gospel writers, who grew up with the Aramaic family system may not have used the more nuanced Greek family words). So the plain text of the bible does not clearly indicate that Jesus had blood siblings. If you look at the narrative in John 19 where the following occurs: "When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home." NABRE This implies that Mary had no other children to take care of her. While it is true that this passage also serves as symbolism, for instance you could read it as symbolic of the disciples being entrusted to the church's teaching and to taking care of the church (represented by Mary), or as symbolic of how faith in Jesus is more important than blood (the same message as today's reading) that doesn't mean it isn't also literally true. (plus you seem to be mostly interested in the plain text of the bible) Even if you never read this, I will pray for you to find the truth and thanks for getting me to read and learn more about the faith.
Gayle, well stated! Primary focus is in God, Our Father through His Son Jesus.
Yes Troy, I also believe this also cause the bible says so in different passages rather than the catechism. As long as we believe the basics of Jesus' birth death and resurrection we are one as He and the Father are one.
From Christianity.com: "Yes, the Bible Says Jesus Had Brothers and Sisters They are mentioned in Matthew 12:46-50, 13:55-56; Mark 3:31, 6:3; Luke 8:19; John 2:12, 7:3; Acts 1:14; 1 Cor. 9:5; and Paul speaks of a James the Lord's brother (Galatians 1:19)." But that doesn't mean John wasn't one too to Jesus.
Troy, the language of the time, Aramaic, has no words for family members other than brother, sister, mother, father. And as was the custom of the day, when Jesus died on the cross, the eldest son of His mother would be required to take her under his wing. Since there were no other children, Jesus gave her to St. John to care for her as his mother.
Troy, this section is for prayers and devotions. If you don't share our belief and need more info and explanation please go to website like Catholic Answers. Thank you and God Bless!
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Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, and those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.