Family is a way to relate

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer some opportunity to continue to reflect on the nature of the relationship between God and people.   The text from the prophet Micah describes God with the words “He delights in showing clemency”. The opportunity to act in this manner happens most often and is most easily completed with those with whom we have a living relationship. We know them and in that knowledge we are aware of the need and importance of continuing to make the best relationship work between us. We show clemency. We delight in doing so. Friar Jude Winkler points out that the difficult movement is to show clemency to those who do not deserve it. This is the action of God. The Gospel from Matthew is the opportunity for Jesus to declare that those who are in the great give and take relationship of “family” with Him are those who do the will of the Father. The mercy and compassion of clemency are certainly an expression of His Will. The plea of the psalmist today for God to show us mercy and love becomes our mission for those with whom we associate today. Friar Jude explains the differences between the traditional understanding of the “brothers and sisters” of Jesus in Roman, Reformed and Orthodox communities. These traditions seem to be more about the nature of the life of Mary than who were the people in the nuclear family of Jesus.