2026-07-21 - Doing God's will makes us part of His family Author:
*21st of July 2026*
*Tuesday in the sixteenth Week of the Ordinary Time, Year II*
_Mic 7:14-15,18-20_
_Mt 12:46-50_
One of the greatest blessings in life is to belong to a loving family. In a family, we find acceptance, identity, protection, and support. Yet in today's Gospel, Jesus revealed that there is a family even greater than the one we are born into, the family of God.
When He was told that His mother and relatives were outside looking for Him, He responded: "Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother" (Mt 12:50).
At first, these words may sound harsh, as though Jesus is dismissing His earthly family. But He is not. Instead, He is teaching that the strongest bond with Him is not one of blood but of faith and obedience. Anyone who listens to God and does His will becomes part of Christ's own family.
The *First Reading* explains why this is possible. The prophet praises God as a God unlike any other: "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity... You delight in showing mercy." God does not hold on to our sins forever. Instead, He forgives, restores, and casts our sins into the depths of the sea. His mercy opens the door for us to become members of His family.
However, God's mercy is not a license to continue living in sin. It is an invitation to a new way of life. We enter God's family through His mercy, but we remain faithful members by doing His will. Christianity is therefore more than carrying the name "Christian," attending Mass, or belonging to a parish. It is about allowing God's word to shape our decisions, relationships, and daily conduct.
Our society often values family name, tribe, status, and connections. While these are good, Jesus reminds us that none of these guarantee a place in God's Kingdom. A person may come from a deeply religious family and yet live contrary to God's commandments. Another may have had little religious background but sincerely seeks God and obeys His will. The latter is truly part of Christ's family.
The Blessed Virgin Mary is the perfect example. She is honoured not only because she gave birth to Jesus but because she wholeheartedly obeyed God's word. Her response at the Annunciation, "Let it be done to me according to your word", made her the first and greatest disciple. She teaches us that true greatness comes from obedience to God.
As we journey through this day, we remind ourselves once again that;
✓Being a Christian is not just about religious identity but about living the Gospel every day.
✓Like Mary, we should make God's will the guiding principle of |our lives.
Let us ask God at this mass for the grace not only to hear His word but also to live it faithfully. Then we shall truly be members of the family of Jesus, both in this life and in the life to come. Amen.
*God bless you*
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