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Theo Tigno•
7/18/2011 4:09 pm
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Tuesday, July 19th 2011 |
Matthew 12: 46-50
While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you." But he said in reply to the one who told him, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother."
Dawg's Thought:
Today's prayer intention - for those you know who are away from the Church.
I was in California this past weekend visiting my brother and his family. My nephew was celebrating his 6th birthday party.
It's easy to see the distinction between my brother and me. We're both around the same height. We both have similar complexion and facial features. When you see the both of us together, you can tell that we are at least related. While we don't look exactly alike, you can see the differences.
While we do not know how Christ looked when He walked the face of this earth, I can be fairly certain that nobody would have mistaken me and Him to be related by our appearance.
In the same way, I do not want to be Him. He is the Lord, and every attempt that I have tried to usurp His place has ended in me knowing that He is Lord, and I am not. There have been countless times when I thought that I was called to be "Jesus" in a particular situation, only to be reminded that there is One God.
In this way, it is humbling to be invited to be His brother.
We are brethren of the Saints who share in the inheritance of Our Lord. We share in the family name, given to us in our baptism, with so many great examples of humility and obedience to the Father. We serve in the "family business" on earth as in Heaven.
Growing up, I never liked doing the things that my brothers told me to do. I normally ended up doing it, though, because either (a) I was told that I would get a reward after I did it or (b) I was told that I would get something else if I didn't do it.
Today, my brother who lives in Hawaii asked me to do something for him. It was a small thing, and I wanted to do it. There was no promise of a reward and, seeing that he lives across an ocean, I had no fear of "receiving something else". I did it because he is my brother.
I wonder if my relationship with God is the same. Do I do serve Him and His people because I feel like I am desiring a reward or fearing a consequence? Or, am I giving my yes because He is God ... and that's it. Didn't the Blessed Virgin Mary do the same thing? Didn't she give her "yes" simply because it was the will of God? Isn't that the expression of faith in God?
Lord, give me a mature faith
that gives my will the freedom to do Your will
simply because You are Lord. Amen.
Take care and God Bless.
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