Protecting Jesus from Himself
Picture
Who are my mother and brothers? by René de los Reyes SJ
Reflection
Mary and the family wanted to protect Jesus. He needed a rest, time to himself, the crowds would wear him out. So they set out to bring him home.
But he gets energy from the crowd, from people listening to the word of God.
Those who listen and do the will of God are close to him;
just as close as any member of his own family.
We too are called to this closeness with Christ. We can become family to him.
Of course, after making his point he may well have gone out to greet his mother, who knows?
Prayer
Preparation: Begin by stilling; then dedicating the time of prayer to God and asking God that all you think, feel and imagine are for the glory of God.
Gift: Ask for what you desire. You may wish to know Jesus more clearly, love him more dearly, follow him more nearly?
Setting: Imagine you are a character in this story inside or outside of the house. When you see what is being said, how do you feel?
Mark. 3:20 & 31-35
Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat.
And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying,
“He is out of his mind.”
And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him.
And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him,
“Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”
And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”
And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
Conversation: When you have finished imagining the scene and you have spent time in quiet contemplation, take a little time to talk to Jesus or Mary as a friend about whatever comes to you. Imagine how they might reply.
Final Prayer: End with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father or Hail Mary.
Music
The Music is the Salve Regina in plainchant sung by the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos. Traditionally it concludes night prayer in the office of the Church.
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Translation:
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy.
Hail our life, our sweetness and our hope!
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears!
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.