Matthew 12:46-50 (NIV)

46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Luke 14:25-27 (NIV)

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Reflection:

Family reunions are occasions for extended family members to get together usually for a meal, recreation and time together typically centered on sharing a common last name. These times can be annoying, boring or entertaining and our past experiences with family reunions can either carry bad memories or fond memories of these times. Regardless of our past experiences and expectations concerning family reunions, Jesus upends the family expectations and loyalties for a greater loyalty to God. Only in this true devotion to God and His family can we truly be free from the expectations and messiness of ‘earthly’ relationships. It is reunion with God that ultimately frees us to see family the way God does, and to free us to love them ‘God’s way’…not ‘the family way.’

Responding to the Transmission:

As God’s children, part of His family, we have been set free to love and care for family according to God’s way. In this new life we have in Christ, let’s spend time praying that true to devotion to God would strengthen and increase in us, and that we would freely love family even more with God’s heart according to His power and love that He abundantly provides.