January 23, 2024
Tuesday for di Third Week for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr—Memorial wey no be Obligation
(Dem dey celebrate am for January 23 for USA)
Saint Marianne Cope, Virgin—Memorial wey no compulsory for USA
Listen for English
“See my mama and my brother dem here. Because anybody wey do wetin God want na my brother and sister and mama.” Mark 3:34–35
Jesus talk plenty things wey make people stop to think. Di Gospel passage for today na one of those times. Just before di passage wey we quote above, dem tell Jesus say His mama and brother dem dey outside dey look for Am. After He hear this, instead make He go greet dem, He ask di people wey dey around Am, “Who be my mama and my brother dem?” Then He look around and answer His own question with di Scripture wey we quote above.
Wetin fit don make some people stop to think that time, and even now when dem read this passage, na say people fit easily misunderstand wetin Jesus talk. Some go conclude say He dey distance Himself from His own family and say He even dey deny dem as His family to some extent. But this one no near di truth at all.
First of all, we know say Jesus love His dear mama Mary with perfect love, and she too love Jesus with perfect love. As for His “brother dem,” e dey common to call people for person extended family, like cousin dem, brothers and sisters. So, these brothers wey dey come see Jesus na His relatives, whether close or distant. And even though our Blessed Mother, di mama of Jesus, dey perfect for every way, no be so Jesus extended family be. Remember say some of dem think say Jesus don lose His mind, and dem try to stop di ministry wey He dey do among di people.
But make we go back to our question: Jesus dey deny His family members as His own for any way? No, not at all. Instead, He dey show di deeper meaning of His new family through grace. Even though family ties by blood na gift wey we must respect and treasure, di spiritual ties wey form as all of us join to do wetin God want dey far more important. Na this truth Jesus point out, as He show say di spiritual family bond dey higher than di bond wey come only through natural birth. Of course, e still dey important to point out say Jesus mama be His mama first and foremost, no be only because she born Jesus for body, but mainly because she join with Am perfectly to do wetin God want. So, na she be di member wey dey closest to Am for His family through grace. And di same thing fit be true for all of us. When we make wetin we want agree with wetin God want, we become Jesus “mama” for di sense say He dey enter our world through us. And we become His “brother and sister dem” because we become close members of His family wey go last forever, and we enjoy deep spiritual union with Am.
Today, reflect on di truth say God call you to be much more than just brother or sister of Christ Jesus by blood. He call you into di closest family union wey person fit imagine, one wey go transform your life. And this union dey become more complete when you try to do wetin God want with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.
My dear Lord, I want well-well make I become more and more part of Your family wey dey closest to You through grace. Help me make I always dedicate myself to do everything wey our Father for Heaven want. And as wetin I want dey agree more and more with wetin di Father want, draw me deeper and deeper into union with You. Jesus, na You I trust.
9 Days for Life Novena
January 19–27
Day five: January 23
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Read More –
Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr
(Dem dey celebrate am for January 23 for USA)
Picture wey we show for up: Christ Dey Tell His Mama Goodbye by Albrecht Altdorfer, from Wikipedia
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