Family Reunion

Readings for Tuesday January 26, 2010

Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, bishops

First Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-8 or Titus 1:1-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96
Gospel: Mark 3:31-35


The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus 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." (Mk 3:31-35)

Family reunions, you either love them or you hate them. Regardless of how good a time you have or what interesting event may happen that day, we must admit that it is always good to see family which we haven't seen in a while. I know that there is one family reunion that I am just looking forward to so much ... and that is our family reunion in heaven.

Jesus tells us today that "whoever does the will of God is His brother and sister and mother." And we also know that one day, is we are good faithful servants while here on this earth, then we are rewarded with eternal life in heaven. So that means that one day all of us in God's family is going to get together for one of the best family gatherings that we could ever imagine! There is one catch to this though, in order to be invited to this family reunion, we must be in the family. And thanks to God's grace, this is not a family that goes strictly by heredity, but it is a family that accepts all. All it takes to get in good with this family is a surrendering of one's life and their own will, and a openness and willingness to do God's will.

Today we remember two of God's faithful servants who bravely helped build the early church and lead the people towards Christ. May we follow their example, and may we each seek to do God's will in our own life. Saints Timothy and Titus, pray for us!

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, thank you so much for giving us a way to you and for making each of us your adopted children. May we go out and spread the good news and your love with the rest of the world, as your servants Timothy and Titus did. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.