Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 28, 2025

Date: Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas

Scripture Text: Mark 3:31-35

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

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today recounts Jesus’ identification of His “family” on the basis of their faithfulness to the will of God. Note: Mary clearly fits in Jesus’ definition, as seen in her “Yes” to the Father’s will that she bear His Son.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Would I qualify as a member of Jesus’ family?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your beloved and only-begotten Son to live among us as our human brother, to fully reveal You to us and your will for us that we have life. Through His teachings and actions, He showed us the depth of your love. And on the cross of Calvary He revealed to us the purest love, giving himself, sinless, to atone for our sins, according to your will. Send your Spirit to stir within us so that we might follow in His footsteps and seek always to discern your will so that we might embrace it and live it. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.