God’s family

January 27, 2026 Tuesday within the third week in Ordinary Time Year A Mk 3:31-35 In this passage, Jesus redefines the very meaning of family. While His biological mother and brothers are standing outside, seeking Him, Jesus turns to the crowd and declares, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.” It is striking how He places obedience to God above blood ties. I can relate personally to this challenge, because there are moments when following God’s call asks me to prioritize His mission over comfort, familiarity, or even expectations from those closest to me. Jesus reminds us that spiritual bonds, rooted in faith and alignment with God’s will, can transcend natural relationships. This teaching also challenges me to examine my own life: where do my loyalties truly lie? Am I more concerned with pleasing people or with doing God’s will? Jesus’ words cut through the human tendency to cling to familiar attachments and invite me to embrace a higher allegiance. I see in my ministry how people who may not be part of my family by blood become brothers and sisters in faith. Every time I counsel, teach, or pray with someone, I am reminded that family in God’s kingdom is formed by love and obedience, not merely by genealogy. Finally, this passage offers profound consolation and hope. In God’s family, no one is excluded. Those who respond to His call, who live according to His will, are embraced as kin of Christ Himself. It reassures me that even when I feel alone, misunderstood, or distant from my earthly family, I belong fully to a larger, eternal family. True belonging is not about proximity or recognition—it is about participation in God’s will, which unites hearts in His love. Walking in that truth brings a deep peace, a reminder that in Christ, we all have a home that surpasses every earthly relationship. Blessings Fr. Jhack