Above: Stained glass depicting the Church praying in the Upper Room, from the Basilique de Sacré Couer in Paray-le-Monial, France. Photo by Father Lawrence Lew, O.P.
For the Jewish people, the word here translated as “brothers” actually had a broader use—it referred to both blood brothers as well as close relatives, cousins. In this scene recounted by St. Luke, we see the love and concern Jesus’ own family had for Him. They wanted to join Him and to see Him. We too have this longing: to join Jesus and to see Him. We too are members of His family through the gift of the Incarnation.
Have you ever noticed how members of a family not only look alike but also act alike? They have similar mannerisms and gestures; even the way they speak is similar. As brothers and sisters of Jesus, we have the blessing of being invited to share His very way of being, to imitate His life-pattern—to take up our cross every day, to find joy in His company, to be salt and light, leaven and good soil. Isn’t this what every saint from the time of St. Stephen up to today lived? The life-pattern of Christ. Full of charity, humble, compassionate, merciful, forgiving, going out to others, giving of self, generous, willing to suffer, full of joy and peace. To live this way is to “hear the word of God and act on it.” To live this way is to do the will of the Father. To live this way is to give glory to God. To live in this way is to join Jesus and to see Him.
St. Dominic lived as a brother of Jesus, acting and speaking like Him, and thus drew many souls to Christ. May our way of life and our love for our neighbor—especially our family members—also draw many souls to Christ.
St. Dominic, Burning as a Torch for the Salvation of Sinners, pray for us.
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