Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

The Gospel reading says that Mary and Jesus’ brothers—from Greek, adelphoi, or member of the same religious community—could not join him because of the crowd. Jesus was told that by someone who remains unknown. Did that person believe that Jesus’ mother and brothers had privileged access to him, despite the crowd? By his reply, in no way does Jesus diminish the role of his mother or brothers by saying those who hear the word of God and act on it are his mother and brothers. Are there times when I believe I have privileged access to Jesus, even without hearing and doing his will?

Thank you, God, for the clarity of your Son’s statement. Hear your word and act on it. Hear and act. Without the burden of guilt and shame, I desire to hear and do your will throughout the day. If I were to act only out of guilt or out of shame in recovering from a misstep, I can’t say that is desire to be in your presence. I sometimes believe I am better at identifying what your will is not than what it is. Help me understand how to avoid turning in the wrong direction so that I can keep you in my line of sight and recognize what is your will.

Just as Mary and Jesus’ brothers desired to join him, I also desire to put myself in your presence. Let nothing impede that today; let me hear and act. Stay with me, Lord, and let me know your outlandish love for me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs

Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

The women in today’s Gospel reading, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susana, and many others provided for Jesus and the apostles out of their own resources. If there is reason for them to follow Jesus other than their faith in him, the example of Mary Magdalene explains the gratitude she has for Jesus in expelling seven demons from her. As a group of women supporting Jesus, his apostles, and his mission, they almost certainly drew on immaterial resources to nurture and solidify each other’s faith in him. Unlike them, who followed Jesus during his time on earth, we have the hope of the resurrection through Jesus, as Saint Paul says, “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” In my own experience, who are the people around me that nurture my faith even as I identify myself as a follower of Jesus through His “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church”? Who encourages me to question my faith in a way that strengthens it when challenged by questions such as the one Saint Paul asks? “And if Christ has not been raised, then empty too is our preaching; empty, too, your faith.”

Help me see and understand, Lord, what it means to provide for the Church out of my own resources. I know this means providing more than financial or material resources. In my own family, guide my words and actions to support you in “preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.” Give me the grace to show gratitude in the areas of my life where you have been present and have forgiven my sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and over the years have bestowed countless blessings, some of which I will never come to comprehend in this life.

Contained in the Stations of the Cross is a prayer that is attributed to Saint Francis whenever he caught sight of a Catholic church in the distance: “We adore you O Christ and we praise you because, by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world!” Keep me, Lord, from believing what is most pitiable, that my faith is vain. Stay with me today, risen Lord, and grant me the grace to boldly proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings