First reading Micah 7:14-15,18-20
Have pity on us one more time
With shepherd’s crook, O Lord, lead your people to pasture,
the flock that is your heritage,
living confined in a forest
with meadow land all around.
Let them pasture in Bashan and Gilead
as in the days of old.
As in the days when you came out of Egypt
grant us to see wonders.
What god can compare with you: taking fault away,
pardoning crime,
not cherishing anger for ever
but delighting in showing mercy?
Once more have pity on us,
tread down our faults,
to the bottom of the sea
throw all our sins.
Grant Jacob your faithfulness,
and Abraham your mercy,
as you swore to our fathers
from the days of long ago.
Responsorial Psalm 84(85):2-8
Let us see, O Lord, your mercy.
O Lord, you once favoured your land
and revived the fortunes of Jacob,
you forgave the guilt of your people
and covered all their sins.
You averted all your rage,
you calmed the heat of your anger.
Revive us now, God, our helper!
Put an end to your grievance against us.
Will you be angry with us for ever,
will your anger never cease?
Will you not restore again our life
that your people may rejoice in you?
Let us see, O Lord, your mercy
and give us your saving help.
Gospel Matthew 12:46-50
My mother and my brothers are anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven
Jesus was speaking to the crowds when his mother and his brothers appeared; they were standing outside and were anxious to have a word with him. But to the man who told him this Jesus replied, ‘Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ And stretching out his hand towards his disciples he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.’
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The one who does God’s will is a child of God
Jesus stretched out His hand towards His disciples and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus was not rejecting His family, but He wanted to make a point to those listening to Him that they were part of God’s family because of their desire to do His will. What is God’s will? God’s will is for us to live a life of love. Thus, though not united by blood ties, God’s new family is intrinsically bonded by His love and their love for one another and humanity.
As Christians, we belong to God’s family, and we choose to root ourselves firmly and deeply in His love. From His love, we love others. By loving, we are doing God’s will. Today, let us be aware that we are God’s beloved children and have been entrusted to build relationships of trust, honesty, faithfulness, compassion, kindness, truthfulness, peace with others around us. May we seek to do God’s will today!
Question for reflection:
How can I seek to do God’s will today?
How can I seek to do God’s will today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
