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.”
Jesus seems completely uninterested in blood line, tribal affiliation, labels, qualifications etc… “For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” It’s the notion of universal acceptance of anyone prepared to adhere to “the will of God”. So I thought I would reflect on that. What is the “will of God”? I am not one for dogma or the belief that any religion or culture has a priveledged position with God. I believe religion at its best, introduces rituals and disciplines that help me to elevate the divine and suppress the ego. I believe the bible is divinely inspired. It contains clues as to what God wants from me. But it takes interaction with the word and application in my context to unpack what the actions need to be in any given situation. I believe universal moral principles like love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness are from God and to pursue these are the pursuit of the divine. The reading today then took me to the notion of family and community. If I am part of a community committed to pursuing the divine, then I give permission to others in that community to hold me accountable to the values we share as core to the community. There is the danger of interpreting love, compassion and forgiveness as universal and unconditional acceptance or “anything goes”. There is also the danger of placing the rule above the person. Jesus tells us to give human need primacy over strict adherence to ritualistic observance. “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.“ Mk2:27. We need others who love us to call us when we fall outside the agreed values that bind us as a community. Religion, at least defines those vaules for us.
ReplyDeleteI find your reflection on Mark 3:31-35 insightful and thought-provoking, particularly your observations about the nature of "the will of God" and the role of community in spiritual growth. I resonate with several of your points:
DeleteUniversal Acceptance: You rightly highlight Jesus' message of universal acceptance based on embracing his teachings and embodying his values. This inclusivity transcends labels and affiliations, offering hope and belonging to anyone on the path towards God.
Beyond Dogma: Your rejection of dogmatic interpretations aligns with a more personal and dynamic understanding of "the will of God." Instead of fixed rules, you emphasize engagement with scripture, reflection, and applying divine principles to your specific context.
Moral Compass: Your focus on universal moral principles like love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness as expressions of God's will aligns with Jesus' central teachings. Pursuing these virtues becomes a tangible way to align oneself with the divine.
Community Accountability: Your point about a community committed to shared values offering support and accountability is crucial. We often need the loving guidance and gentle nudges of fellow travelers on our spiritual journey to stay on track and embody our shared values.
Finding Balance: You astutely observe the potential dangers of misconstruing love, compassion, and forgiveness as unconditional acceptance or justifying harmful actions. Striking a balance between acceptance and holding each other accountable to shared values requires wisdom and discernment.
Humanizing Religion: Your view of religion as offering structures and practices to elevate the divine and suppress the ego resonates with many perspectives. It emphasizes the personal journey of growth and transformation facilitated by shared rituals and disciplines.
Openness to Interpretation: Throughout your reflection, you emphasize the importance of personal engagement, individual context, and ongoing interpretation of scripture. This openness to diverse perspectives and evolving understandings is vital for a dynamic and meaningful faith.
Continual Growth: The journey of understanding "the will of God" and aligning with it is an ongoing process. Your insightful reflection demonstrates a thoughtful engagement with this complex topic and your willingness to learn and grow on your spiritual path.
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful response. I encourage you to continue exploring these themes and deepen your understanding of the divine through ongoing engagement with scripture, reflection, and participation in supportive communities.