Opening Prayer
 

"Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Then, extending his hand toward his disciples, he said, "There are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is brother and sister and mother to me." (Mt. 12:48-50)

Those who try to dissuade us from devotion to the Mother of Jesus use this text to claim that Mary was not a virgin because, they say, Mary must have had more children. Neither in this text, nor in any other part of scripture, are children of Mary and Joseph mentioned. Though the Scriptures do speak of the brothers of Jesus, the interpretation of such passages require an understanding of the language of the day. Such passages refer to any relative, or even friend, as when Jesus told Mary Magdalene to advise His brothers of His Resurrection. She went to advise His disciples. (Jn. 20:17-18)

Clearly, the most beautiful part of this text is that Jesus explains to us that we are raised to the level of family when we try to put into practice the will of the Father of Heaven and Earth.

The Eternal Son of the Father came to us to make Himself the Son of Man. He saves us from our slavery to sin, which separated us from God.

He took unto Himself what is us, and He gives us what is Him -- including His undefiled Mother -- to share with us His divine nature, and to share with us our human nature.

Psalm 22:23 "Then I will proclaim your name to the assembly; in the community I will praise you."

St. Lawrence, d. 1619; Capuchin, linguist, military chaplain, diplomat and minister general; learned exegete, forceful preacher and controversialist.

Our Prayer Continues