True Family: A Reflection on Luke 8:19-21

"His mother and his brothers came to Jesus, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, 'Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.' But he answered them, 'My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.'" - Luke 8:19-21

The Deeper Meaning

At first glance, Jesus' response might seem harsh or dismissive toward his family. However, this passage reveals something profound about the nature of spiritual kinship and what it truly means to belong to God's family.

Jesus isn't rejecting his earthly family or diminishing the importance of family bonds. Instead, he's expanding our understanding of what family means in the kingdom of God. He's teaching us that while blood relations are significant, spiritual relationships built on shared faith and obedience to God's will create an even deeper bond.

Beyond Blood Relations

In our world today, we often define ourselves by our connections - our family name, our social circles, our professional networks. While these relationships matter, Jesus reminds us that the most important connection we can have is with God and those who share our commitment to following His will.

This doesn't mean we should neglect our earthly families. Rather, it means we should strive to bring the same dedication we have to our spiritual calling into all our relationships. When we truly hear God's word and put it into practice, we become better family members, friends, and community members.

Hearing and Doing

The key phrase in today's Gospel is "those who hear the word of God and do it." Jesus emphasizes both aspects - hearing and doing. It's not enough to simply listen to God's word or even understand it intellectually. True discipleship requires action.

This challenges us to examine our own lives. Do we merely hear God's word on Sundays, or do we carry it with us throughout the week? Do we let it transform how we treat others, make decisions, and live our daily lives?

A Call to Action

Today's Gospel invites us to:

• Listen actively to God's word in Scripture, prayer, and the teachings of the Church
• Reflect deeply on how God is calling us to live
• Act boldly on what we've heard, even when it's difficult
• Welcome others into the spiritual family of faith with open hearts

Saint Pius of Pietrelcina's Example

Today's memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) provides a perfect example of someone who truly heard God's word and lived it. Despite facing skepticism and challenges, he remained faithful to his calling, serving others through his ministry and bearing the stigmata as a sign of his deep union with Christ.

Like Padre Pio, we're called to be authentic disciples who don't just talk about faith but live it in concrete, visible ways.

Conclusion

Jesus' words challenge us to move beyond superficial connections and seek the deeper bonds that come from shared commitment to God's will. When we truly hear God's word and put it into practice, we discover that we belong to a family that transcends all earthly boundaries - a family united not by blood, but by love, faith, and service.

Today, let us ask ourselves: How can we better hear God's word? How can we more faithfully put it into practice? And how can we welcome others into this beautiful spiritual family that Jesus offers to all who seek Him?