Tuesday in the Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Scripture Readings: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Mt 12:46-50                         

Jesus asked, “Who are my brothers, sisters and mother?”    In the early Church there was a great tension between the faith of converts to Christianity and the faith of their Jewish families and friends, between those who were inside the house with Jesus and those who were outside.  

Theologian, Fr. Karl Rahner, writes that this tension is even greater today for so many Christians who live with unbelieving relatives.¹  Jesus said, “Your foes will be members of your own household.”   But it is not only opposition to Christianity that causes distress for the lover of Christ.  It is also uncertainty over the salvation of unbelieving relatives and friends, of those we love.  What can we do? 

Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my mother.”  We become mothers of Christ when we bring Jesus to birth in others by our labor of intercession.  We can be like Mary, who is more our mother by her intercessions for us than if she had given birth to our bodies.  We are mothers of Christ when we do God’s will for others by our fervent prayers, frequent sacrifices, good example, patience endurance, and persevering encouragement.  Every Christian has the wonderful grace to give birth to Christ in the lives of unbelievers, to be their loving “mother, sister, and brother.”   

1. Karl Rahner, Theological Investigations, vol. 3, Theology of the Spiritual Life, Darton Longman & Todd, London, 1974, 355-372.