Daily Gospel Reflection
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September 24, 2019
The mother and brothers of Jesus came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”
But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
This is a challenging reflection for me to write on because Christ seemingly dismisses his immediate relations in this gospel. As the fifth of ten children in my family, my siblings and parents define who I am.
I remember as a child, I used to fight with my sisters about petty things, like sharing clothes or listening to a specific genre of music. One night my mother came into our room with tears in her eyes and said, “Don’t you understand that you will to be at each other’s weddings, baby showers, and funerals—you will bury each other!”
It took me a while to understand the significance of what my mother was trying to explain. For the longest time I thought these were simply normal family activities, a result of having biological siblings from the same parents. However, throughout the last two years, I have watched extended relatives pull away from each other, and have seen friends’ families break apart. Perhaps it is more than blood relation that keeps a family together.
When Jesus says, “my mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it” he is not dismissing family, he is redefining family. Jesus is claiming that the strongest relationships are those founded in the word of God.
As I reflect on Christ’s words, I more clearly understand that my mother said her own words not because biological siblings are required to be apart of each other’s lives. Rather, my parents were training us to love each other (by acting upon the word of God) in the details of everyday life so that we will be able love each other in the most important moments of our lives.
Prayer
God, Father of all people, you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may we recognize the unity of all the baptized. Do not allow us to be distracted by the superficial distinctions drawn by the world. May we instead hear you call us all your mother and brothers and sisters. We are one in your Body. Help us to live as one. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Pacifico did not let a painful illness that robbed him of his speech and sight impair his pursuit of holiness.
He was born in 1653 in San Severino, Italy. When he was 5 years old, both of his parents died, and he was raised by an uncle, who was abusive and used the boy as a servant.
When he was 17 Pacifico joined the Franciscan order, and was ordained a priest at the age of 25. He spent two years teaching philosophy to his brothers in community, but it became clear that he had a talent for skillful preaching. He was sent throughout the region preaching and hearing confessions. His mission work was well received, and he had a gift for helping people confess their sins.
When he was in his mid-30s, he was struck blind and mute, and he developed sores that incapacitated his legs. He spent the rest of his time in the monastery, praying and doing what he could to help in the administration of his community.
Even though he suffered greatly from his debilitating illnesses, he continued to apply discipline to his body to sharpen his will; his superiors had to order him to limit his fasting because he would do his health further damage. During Mass, he was often caught up in ecstatic prayer, and would spend several hours in contemplation.
He was given the gifts of prophecy and healing, and after he died in 1721, miracles were reported at his tomb. His relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Pacifico of San Severino, you would not let debilitating illness stand in the way of pursuing holiness—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Pacifico of San Severino is in the public domain. Last accessed April 2, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
