Family

John 9:25b-27

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

  This is the second time that Jesus’ mother appears in the gospel according to John; the first time was when she told Jesus to do something about the wedding host running out of wine.  While he is dying on the cross, Jesus cares for others, not himself.  Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved, he says, “Woman, here is your son;” and to the disciple, he says, “here is your mother.”  Jesus is thinking, not of himself, but of others until the very end.  He creates a new family.  He ensures that they will be cared for, and they will care for one another.

Jesus does that for us as well.  We are called into Christian community through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and through Affirmation of Baptism.  We are called children of God, and that makes us part of God’s family.  God creates a new family where we take care of one another.  One of the things we promise each other in baptism and affirmation of baptism is that no one ever has to be alone.  As a community, a family, we promise to love and care for each other.

Now, that doesn’t always mean that we like each other.  We will have disagreements or have different ideas about the way something should be done.  The community to which God has called us however, strives to ensure that no one has need.  Christ unites us in our mission, and together, we care for one another and for our community and our world.  We are a family of faith, and as we continue to celebrate Holy Baptism and Affirmation of Baptism, we make the promises that our new siblings in Christ never have to be alone or face their trials and tribulations alone.  We will be here for them - and they will be here for us.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, even as you were crucified on the cross, you were thinking of others and caring for them.  As you call us into your family of faith, empower us to reach out and care for others, giving glory to your holy name - Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen