PRI Reflections on Scripture | Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Mark 3:31-35

 The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house.
Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.
A crowd seated around him told him,
“Your mother and your brothers and your sisters
are outside asking for you.”
But he said to them in reply,
“Who are my mother and my brothers?”
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother.”

Reflection
When Jesus’ mother and brothers appear while Jesus is teaching, it triggers in him a way of talking about what he is and what he does. He is there for everyone. He offers intimacy to everyone and everyone who believes in him and sees in him the truth and lives that truth is family, is intimately tied together. It's a beautiful way of describing what it means to be a believer.

It is an intimate relationship, stronger than any other relationship in the world.

 

Closing Prayer
Father, we have so many divisions in the world. People that are acceptable to us. People who are not. And over and over again, Jesus reminds us of the oneness that he calls us into a union, a communion, a church, a faith based, loving community that wants nothing more than to welcome everyone. It's at the heart what it means to be a believer, to be in a loving community. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross