A New Idea of Family and Faith (Mk 3:31-35)

            When the crowd tells Jesus that his mother, brothers, and sisters are outside asking for him, Jesus responds in a way that expands the idea of family in connection with the will of God.  His response shows that our true family is a spiritual bond that stems from and depends on our relationship with God.  Because family and faith for the ancient Hebrews were interconnected, the response of Jesus also reveals two things about faith itself.  Although he never uses the word faith, his response shows that faith is first about doing something, and second about right relationships.  Jesus shows that faith is first a matter of doing the will of God, for he says that those who do this are in fact his brother, sister and mother.  In other words, faith is expressed in what we do in relationship with God and with others.  And, what we do as a matter of faith is the will of God as best we can.

            We are not without help in this regard, however.  Throughout his life and mission, Jesus indicates in many ways what the will of God means, but one important way is that we show mercy to others in the way that we expect to receive mercy.  To take this a step further, showing mercy also means that we do not destroy or tear at the worth and esteem of others with vile gossip, constant criticism and judgment. We also know that God wants us to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and welcome the stranger.  In other words, the will of God is that we love others as we love ourselves. 

            This is why Jesus used familial terms to show that faith is about right relationships.  Faith in God binds us together in a spiritual relationship that can only be described in human familial terms.  And yet, the spiritual family that we belong to by virtue of our faith functions like a human family.  In this way, Jesus shows us that faith is a matter of living in a close, loving relationship with others.

            But, we cannot love each other in a proper sense if we do not care for God’s creation.  Creation is the environment that God provides for our benefit and welfare, both for those who live in the present and for those who will follow.  This is why creation does not belong to us.  It is ours to care for in a way that brings joy and meets our present needs, and benefits future generations as well.  In fact, the first commandment God gave to humans is to care for creation (Gen 2:15). This commandment is found in the Book of Genesis and shows the importance that God placed on caring for creation from the very beginning.

            All of this is just another way of saying that faith is really a matter of seeking justice—giving God, his creation, and each of his children their due.  We give God his due when we love him and all that belongs to him.  And, we give each other our due when we acknowledge and promote the worth and dignity that each of us has by virtue of our membership in the family of God (Ep 2:19; Rm 12:5).  This is how we love each other in a just way.  In this sense, love, justice and family are different aspects of faith itself.  Jesus said it far more succinctly, however—faith is about doing the will of God.