1st Reading: Mi 7:14-15,18-20
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 85:2-8
Gospel: Mt 12:46-50
The discussion from this Gospel passage and ones which are similar to it are often brought up when discussing people's devotion to St. Mary. It has been said that by the mere fact that Jesus' brothers are referred to inside of this passage that we have proof that Mary's role in the Church should be lowered. If Christ was able to have brothers surely this means that Mary was not a virgin nor free from the stain of sin. This is the misunderstanding with this text and with the scriptural use of brother in the context of this passage. The Fathers of the Church point out that we have each been invited to enter into communion with Christ and thus become His sisters and brothers.
The reality that we have been called to enter into this community as the sisters and brothers of Christ and be invited to receive the Body and Blood of Christ should be an important reality for each of us. As we enter into the next five Sundays of Ordinary Time we will be entering into the Gospel of Saint John where we will focus upon the bread of life that comes to us from Heaven. Through these passages of scripture we will be acknowledging that Christ dwells in the Sacrament of the Altar and calls to each of us to join with Him as His sisters and brothers.
Saint Mary is the Mother of God who was free from the stain of sin. Through her intercession we are invited to enter more deeply into relationship with her son. It is her desire for us to join her as her children, so that we may be drawn closer to the Heart of her Son. May we the brothers and sisters of Christ enter into this relationship and allow ourselves to enter more fully into the community of Christ. Through this great reality we have been invited to share the mercy and love of the Lord each day of our lives.
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