2nd book of Samuel 6,12-15.17-19.
When it was reported to King David that the LORD had blessed the family of Obed-edom and all that belonged to him, David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David amid festivities. As soon as the bearers of the ark of the LORD had advanced six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. Then David, girt with a linen apron, came dancing before the LORD with abandon, as he and all the Israelites were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and to the sound of the horn. The ark of the LORD was brought in and set in its place within the tent David had pitched for it. Then David offered holocausts and peace offerings before the LORD. When he finished making these offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. He then distributed among all the people, to each man and each woman in the entire multitude of Israel, a loaf of bread, a cut of roast meat, and a raisin cake. With this, all the people left for their homes.
Psalms 24,7.8.9.10.
Lift up your heads, O gates; rise up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may enter.
Who is this king of glory? The LORD, a mighty warrior, the LORD, mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates; rise up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may enter.
Who is this king of glory? The LORD of hosts is the king of glory. Selah
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 3,31-35.
His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, "Your mother and your brothers (and your sisters) are outside asking for you."But he said to them in reply, "Who are my mother and (my) brothers?" And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. (For) whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."
FAMILY MATTERS
"...gazing around Him at those seated in the circle..." –Mark 3:34
Before Jesus became flesh, His experience of family was that of superabundant love circulating between Himself, the Holy Spirit, and the Father (Jn 1:1-2). Then Jesus came to earth as a Man, and His experience of family was the love flowing through the Holy Family (Lk 2:39-40), and, later, through His relatives (Mk 3:31-32). Jesus has an unimaginably rich family history.
Today's Gospel presents an abrupt diversion from Jesus' family experience. Jesus gazes at the crowd seated in the circle around Him (Mk 3:34). These people are "hanging on His words" (Lk 19:48). They seek wisdom, healing, or words of direction from One greater than they (Lk 11:31-32). Suddenly the Master is interrupted by a summons from His family. The members in the crowd immediately realize that their time with Jesus is up. They naturally assume Jesus must attend to family matters, and mentally prepare to return home, not knowing if they will ever see Him again. Imagine the look on their faces as Jesus gazes lovingly at them and tells them they are His family, because they are doing the will of God (Mk 3:34-35). Imagine the joy of Jesus in sharing with them the never-ending love that flows in His family.
At Baptism, you were begotten from above (Jn 3:3), given a new nature, and adopted into the family of God. You are no longer strangers; you are included in the best family ever. Live your Baptism. Do God's will. Live in His family love (Jn 15:10).Prayer: Holy Father, Holy Jesus, and Holy Spirit, may I bear much fruit for You (Jn 15:8) and lead many thousands into our family.
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