Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
The New Family Of Jesus
Liturgical Cycle: A | Lectionary Cycle: II
Introduction
Year II. How do we deal with our neighbour? Justice is more important than sacrifice, and we should hear the cries of the poor.
Gospel. After his parables on the sower of the word and of the lamp, Luke, using the incident of Mary and Jesus’ relatives seeking him out in the crowd, sums up by saying that Jesus’ new family is made up of those who hear the word of God and live accordingly. Accepting the gospel transcends family ties. This is no direct rebuke to Mary, as we know that she received and responded to the word of God and pondered it in her heart. Like her, do we put it into practice?
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
you have called all who listen
to the Word of your Son
and put it into practice
to be the new family you love.
Address each of us personally,
that we may understand your word,
receive it with ready hearts, like Mary,
and let it become flesh and blood
in all our actions.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
First Reading
In the hands of the Lord, the heart of the king is like running water; he directs it wherever he wishes.
To man’s eyes, all his ways seem honest, but it is the Lord who examines the heart.
Doing what is right and just pleases the Lord more than sacrifice.
Haughty looks and a proud heart, the light of the wicked is sin.
The efforts of a dedicated man lead to earnings; poverty is for those who act too quickly.
Building a fortune through deception is like chasing the wind; the outcome is death.
The wicked person’s soul craves only evil; not even his friend receives compassion.
When the mocker is punished, the ignorant man becomes wise; when the wise man is taught, he gains more knowledge.
The Just One observes the house of the evildoer and casts the wicked into misfortune.
He who ignores the poor man’s cry won’t be heard when he calls out himself.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44
R. (35) Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Blessed are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
The way of truth I have chosen;
I have set your ordinances before me.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Give me discernment, that I may observe your law
and keep it with all my heart.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Lead me in the path of your commands,
for in it I delight.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
And I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever.
R. Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who hear the word of God
and observe it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
The mother of Jesus and relatives came to him, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd.
Someone told him:
“Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and want to see you.”
Then Jesus answered:
“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Prayers of the Faithful
– That we may be close to Jesus by seeking with him and his mother the will of the Father in everything, we pray:
– That priests and religious may keep trusting in the Lord who has called them notwithstanding their human weakness and that with Christ they may care for people to bring them close to God, we pray:
– That by keeping our baptismal promises we may be faithful to God who remains always faithful to us, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God our Father,
we have heard your word
and now we bring before you
this bread and this wine.
Let this be the food and drink
that give us the strength
to act upon the word of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God our Father,
your Word became flesh for us
in this eucharistic celebration.
Let the word of your son unite us
to be fully the new family of your Church.
Let the Spirit of your Son fill our own words
with truth, integrity and love,
that we may brighten each other’s day.
And may our lives echo to the world
the word you have spoken to us,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing
We should be people of the Word: people who belong to Christ, the living Word of God; people who keep their word; people who live according to the word they believe in; people, like Mary, who are completely open to the word of God. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTIONS
Luke 8:19-21
Becoming the Family of Jesus
When Jesus is told that his mother and relatives are waiting outside, he answers, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” Jesus is revealing a new spiritual family created by listening and obedience.
Pope Francis beautifully shared that living as a Christian is quite straightforward: simply listen to God’s word and let it guide your daily actions. But listening isn’t just about hearing words; it invites us to reflect and ask, “What should I change, forgive, start, or let go of today?' This gentle approach reminds us that faith is not a one-time decision, but instead a daily choice of life.
Mary becomes a model for us because she teaches us how to listen and welcome the Word, ponder it, trust it courageously amid uncertainties, and allow it to become flesh through her life. Her blessedness lies not only in bearing Jesus but in obeying God wholeheartedly.
Jesus’ words also offer an invitation. Anyone can become his brother, sister, or mother. No past failures or social status can exclude someone from the family of Jesus. The Church becomes Christ’s family when Scripture moves from the book into relationships, decisions, and service.
Today, let us resist being hearers. Which Gospel command have we admired but postponed practising? May the Spirit open our hearts, give courage to our obedience, and transform every word we hear into mercy, honesty, reconciliation, and love. When the Gospel takes flesh in our actions, Jesus looks upon us and joyfully declares: “Here is my family.”