Family

June 9, 2024 10th Sunday of Ordinary Time

I come from a small family. My mom was an only child and my dad only had one sibling. Plus, my closest cousin is three years younger than me. So, growing up, it was me and my sister, my brothers, and then the three cousins we have. I remember holidays at my aunt’s house and having to sit with the adults because I was too old to play with my brothers and my cousins. I was so bored.

On the other hand, she comes from a huge family. Lots of cousins, all her age. I recall going to her Uncle’s house for 4th of July parties and feeling so happy to have so many people my age I could relate to. I think I push her to get together with her cousins even more than she wants to. Sometimes I think she takes a big family for granted. She, on the other hand, appreciates my small family and the lack of commitments.

As a result of my small family, we have created a wonderful extended “family” of dear friends. You know the type – even if it’s been a year or more since we’ve been together, we start our conversations right where we left off, as if we’ve never been apart. I am fortunate to say that we have a large extended family of friends. I can’t imagine what we would do without them.

This week’s Gospel shows that Jesus had to deal with some of the same issues. His larger family thought he was crazy. His mother and siblings came to bring him home at one point to end the embarrassment he was causing them. It’s actually a bit painful for me to read this passage of Mark.

But Jesus, as usual, is nonchalant. Looking at the bigger picture, he tells everyone who is in hearing distance (including his family), “whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” [Mark 3:35] (I can tell you that MY mother would NOT have been happy at that comment.)

But Jesus was simply laying down a line. It really doesn’t matter if we are related by blood. What really matters is if we are related by Christ. Not all of my family agrees with my theology. I have to be okay with that. I don’t agree with some of my cousins, and they don’t agree with me. That’s okay, too. What matters is if I agree with Jesus.

So, as I interact with people in my day-to-day life, what I have to remember is that each and every person is my brother and sister and cousin. I may not always agree with them, but that doesn’t matter. I am not called to agree with them or to get angry if they disagree with me. I am called to love them. Because, regardless of what I may think, God loves that person. Just as they are. Therefore, I have to as well. Every Day.

© 2024 by Timothy J. Doppel

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