Catholics: What do you think of this passage of scripture?

Question

Matthew 12:48 "....Jesus asked who is my mother and who are my brothers, then he pointed at his disciples and said "Look these are my mother and brothers. Anyone does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, my sister and my mother."

Answer 1

Very nice. Thanks for sharing that with us.

Cheers :-)

Answer 2

Don't forget the parallel verses in Mark 3:31-35.

The point of the story is the same in both gospels. Natural kinship with Jesus counts for nothing.

Only one who does the will of his heavenly Father belongs to his true family.

Catholics hold the Blessed Virgin Mary in high respect not because she is Jesus' mother but because by saying "YES" to God, she did the will of the heavenly father.

By believing in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior while He was still in her womb, Mary became the first Christian.

Mary is a model of faith. Mary's faith never wavered throughout Jesus' life, even while watching him die on the cross when most of the Apostles ran away.

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

The term brothers was used in different ways. Ancient Greek (as opposed to modern Greek in use since the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453) did not have a term for cousins, brothers-in-law, nephews, etc. The ancient Semitic peoples were also very clannish....everyone was a brother or uncle.

In this quote, Jesus is using the term mother very differently...many words had different meanings. PS The New Testament was written in Greek .. but Jesus spoke Aramaic which also did not have terms for in-laws, cousins, nephews.

Answer 4

Jesus had four half-brothers and two half-sisters. Mary was his mother, Joseph his father. Although they were important (see book of Jude and James for example), I believe Jesus was more interested and hopeful that they do the will of his "Father in heaven" for their own and society's sake, which we know they later did. Families do influence and impact our lives, but separate from us as the years go by when they are not following the will of God. It is inevitable.

Answer 5

His words are true and correct. He said this because at that very moment His mother and brothers thought He was out of his mind (see Matthew 12:20).

Answer 6

Looking this up in my 8 Translation
New Testament
means who ever does what our Father in heaven
wants him or her to do
you are my brother, my sister , my mother

Obeying the Lord God and doing his will in our everyday
lives
Living our life for the Lord

Answer 7

AMEN! wonderful that Christ is sharing the depth of His fathers love with us all -- no matter what our relation we are all brothers & sisters in Christ!!!
God Bless!!!
YSIC
(your sister in Christ)

to delve a little more - i believe the meaning you are trying to insinuate.... my cousin is my sister & my parents her paretsn - we were raised so close, we are more like sisters & her parents are both now dead & my folks are now her folks. my best friend - no blood relation at all.... we are more sisters then those of blood - we call each other sisters as well.

Answer 8

For some reason, it makes me think that Jesus might leading up to an Amway sales pitch, or maybe he's trying to get all the disciples to join Herbalife. It sounds a lot like most MLM sales pitches I've heard.

Answer 9

I means what it says. If you believe in Jesus Christ and endeavor to do His will, you are His brother or sister. in addition, all others who believe in Jesus Christ and endeavor to do His will are your spiritual brothers and sisters as well.

We're one big happy spiritual family in Jesus!

Answer 10

Exactly what it says. We are ALL brothers and sisters of Christ

Answer 11

"The individual who does the Will of God is, a Child of God",
these words sum-up that verse in paraphrase.