Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Today's Gospel reading is commonly thrown in the face of Catholics and other Christians who venerate Our Holy Mother Mary. The point would seem that even Jesus honored those who do God's will more than His Mother or His own family members.
On closer inspection of the Gospels, however, this does not appear to be the case. Jesus, rather, is highlighting why His Mother is so blessed because she obeyed God's will. Furthermore, we all can become Jesus' family members through obedience to God, which includes faith and baptism.

In the first reading today from the Letter to the Hebrews, we read how Jesus' obedience fulfills the law. In the responsorial Psalm we find the same theme. It is this obedience that Jesus Himself highlights in Mark's Gospel reading for today. To do the will of God is to become righteous.

With the image of Our Blessed Mother Mary, let's follow her example. She became Jesus' Mother by obeying God. Let us too follow where God leads, and do the will of God in our own lives. Let's ask Our Lady to intercede for us to help us live the lives God is calling us to live. Let's strive to do the will of God at every moment of every day. Perhaps we can meditate upon areas in our own lives where we need to improve in this area. Let's ask ourselves where and in what ways we can better serve the Lord doing His will.

Jeff Morrow