HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 25TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II
THEME: Family Matters
BY: Deacon Bill Frere
HOMILY FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 20 2022
Gospel – Luke 8:19-21
Isn’t it simply amazing? A family member falls ill; maybe it’s a son or a mom, a dear grandparent or a cherished father-in-law. All at once, schedules are shelved and plans are dropped; life is suddenly put on hold as we seek to care for the sick. And it’s not just the family! Friends and neighbors all come together to offer love and support, prayers and assistance. Some prepare meals for the immediate family as they spend their days (and nights) at the bedside. Others offer rides to the hospital or the doctor’s office. All of a sudden the meaning of ‘family’ expands beyond that of blood. All are family!
And that is what Jesus is referring to in today’s Gospel. In His time, the family was the primary source of welfare, food, clothing, shelter, health care and retirement. You depended on family for everything! And so Jesus is not disrespecting His own mother! Rather he is expanding the meaning of family and reminding us that we are all God’s children. And as such, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all family, no matter the bloodlines or last names. We are all called by our Baptism and our discipleship to care for each other, especially in times of sickness and difficulty!