1/27/2026 (Tuesday) Today’s Gospel reading: Mark 3:31-35

31 The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.
32 A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.”
33 But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”
34 And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.
35 For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

1/27/2026 (Tuesday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Mark 3:31-35

In this brief but powerful scene, Jesus is surrounded by people eager to hear Him when word arrives that His family is outside looking for Him. Instead of responding in the expected way, He uses the moment to redefine what truly binds people together. He points not to bloodlines or social ties, but to obedience to God’s will as the deepest connection of all. In doing so, Jesus expands the meaning of family from something we inherit to something we choose through faith and commitment.

This message challenges long-held assumptions. Family is often understood as those who share our name, history, and DNA. While these relationships are important and worthy of honor, Jesus reminds us that spiritual kinship has equal, if not greater, significance. Those who listen to God, seek His ways, and live out His values are united by a bond that transcends background, culture, and status.

In today’s world, many people experience fractured or complicated family relationships. Some grow up in homes marked by distance, conflict, or absence. Others find themselves far from loved ones due to work, migration, or life circumstances. This passage offers hope by affirming that no one is excluded from belonging. Faith creates a community where love is practiced, support is shared, and identity is rooted in God rather than circumstance.

Modern examples of this spiritual family are all around us. It is seen in church communities that step in during times of illness or grief, offering meals, prayers, and presence. It appears in small groups where people from different generations and backgrounds walk together through life’s questions. It is evident when believers choose to forgive one another, even when it is difficult, because they recognize a shared commitment to God’s way of love and mercy.

The passage also calls us to examine our priorities. Jesus does not dismiss His family, but He places obedience to God at the center. In practical terms, this challenges us to ask whether our decisions such as how we use our time, treat others, or respond to conflict, are shaped more by convenience or by faith. Doing God’s will today may look like choosing honesty over advantage at work, patience over anger at home, or compassion over indifference in society.

Furthermore, this teaching invites us to widen our circles. In an age marked by division, polarization, and loneliness, the idea of a spiritual family becomes a powerful witness. When believers welcome newcomers, listen to differing perspectives, and care for the vulnerable, they reflect a community shaped not by exclusion but by grace.

Ultimately, the Gospel passage reminds us that belonging in God’s family is not earned through status or proximity, but lived out through faithful obedience. When we align our lives with God’s purposes, we discover brothers and sisters in unexpected places. In choosing to live God’s will each day, we not only deepen our relationship with Him but we also help build a family that brings hope, healing, and belonging to a world longing for connection.

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