If truly spiritual lineage supersedes physical bond, if there is a different kind of brotherhood based on keeping the word of God, then two questions arise. First, are men and women who fight desperately to maintain physical ties based on family, tribal and racial bonds not chasing after mere shadows? Secondly, is it not the case that after the present life some of those we call brothers and sisters may not qualify to be called so anymore if either they or we fail the criterion of keeping the word of God now? In the gospel today Jesus defines a new kind of brotherhood and the qualification for belonging to that brotherhood is the keeping of God’s word. So, if we do not want to lose our brother, sister, father, mother etc. in the next world, let us do our best to persuade them to keep the word of God in this life.

PRAYER: Lord, grant me and my family an honest conversion so that beyond this present life, we may share the spiritual lineage which those who hear and keep your word will share. Amen.