Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” In today’s gospel (Luke 8:19-21), it appears that Jesus is rebuking his family. His family comes to see him but because of the crowds they cannot get to him. He is told of their desire to see him, but Jesus responds, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” There is no doubt that Jesus loved his mother very much, but today’s message helps us understand the depth of the relationship we should seek with God. He is calling all of us to be one of his siblings. God never intended humans to be alone. In the beginning when God created man and he was alone, God saw that was not good and Adam was lonely. To respond to this solitude, God created a companion for Adam. Man formed a relationship with woman. In today’s gospel, God is telling us that while this relationship is important, your relationship with God is more important. Only through your relationship with God can you elevate your earthly relationships. All relationships should include the communion with God.

Being a good Christian is more than following the Ten Commandments, it is about establishing a relationship with God. Today’s gospel challenges us to take the relationship deeper by elevating the importance of that relationship. By making your relationship with God the most important relationship, we commit to a relationship of love. Any relationship founded on true love includes trust, commitment, loyalty, kindness and compassion. If we have this type of relationship with God, it will flow down into our other relationships. It will become the foundation for all relationships we form on earth. Every relationship you form on earth should mirror your relationship with God. Your relationship with other men and women should be Christ centered. The relationship should mirror the relationship you would have with Christ.

A Simple Prayer My Heavenly Father, I love you and cherish you. I desire a relationship with you. May all my relationships mirror the one you desire from me.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon