16th Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 21st July 2020 — Gospel: Mt 12,46-50
Desiring to speak
Often Jesus’ preaching was plain, easy, and familiar, and suited to his hearers; and at times it would be complicated based on his arguments against his adversaries. His mother and brethren stood outside, wanting to speak to him, when they should have been standing inside, desiring to hear him. The motive which led his family members to seek Him on this occasion lies on the surface of the narrative. It is not in view of interrupting his work, or to divert him from it, so that he exhausts himself with overwork. It is not in seeking ambition or vain glory, to show that they were related to him and that he was at their beck and command. The obvious reason is that never before in his Galilean ministry He stood out in such open hostility from the scribes and Pharisees of Capernaum and Jerusalem. Therefore, His mother and brethren were there to observe him of the danger that he was exposed to through his discourses, and probably to explain to him of some conspiracies that were formed against him. Jesus’ loving mother and his brethren came to strengthen Him in this situation by their presence and wanting to get his mind by speaking to him. In this, Jesus shows of the spiritual and heavenly relationship that is more important than the natural and earthly ones. Indirectly in honouring his mother, the perfect example in accomplishing God’s will, Jesus also points out here that those who are nearest to the means of knowledge and grace are most negligent.
