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." (Lk 8:19-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092325.cfm
Some folks spend lots of time trying to figure out why Jesus seems to ignore his own family. What I see is Jesus expanding the notion of who belongs to his family to include all those who “hear the word of God and act on it.” Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (1887-1968) is known for his famous advice: "Pray, hope, and don't worry." https://youtu.be/P4l-TRl5CvI?si=o-tf6uRNfyj_f-5M
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, presbyter, September 23
