22 September 2026
Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Luke 8:19–21

Today is Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time. The passage from the Gospel of Saint Luke presents us with an encounter in time and space between two groups belonging to distinct realms. I would like to offer some reflections on this reading.

First, Luke tells us: Jesus’ mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. (cf. Luke 8:19) The Evangelist wishes to show us that Mary, the Virgin Mother from Nazareth, and his brothers, having heard reports of all Jesus was doing in Capernaum, thought he was out of his mind and sought to restrain him. (cf. Mark 3:21) This mirrors the very situation faced by Christians living in this passing world today. For we too are constantly challenged by the secular powers: the ruler of this age and his agents often entangle us in the bonds of kinship, directing our energies toward the familial love we share with our parents and family, rather than fixing the heart of our faith on our relationship with God.

Today, Jesus declares: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” (cf. Luke 8:21) It is easy to take these words literally, assuming Jesus means: “I do not recognize my mother, nor do I recognize my brothers.” The reality is quite the opposite. Our Lord Christ, rich in mercy, uses this veiled expression to extol his beloved Mother. The Blessed and Most Holy Virgin, when told by the Angel that she was to become the Mother of God, humbly replied: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (cf. Luke 1:26–38) After Jesus’ birth, through her intercession, he performed his first sign at Cana in Galilee, as recorded in the Gospel of John. (cf. John 2:1–12) He wishes to teach us that only by genuinely receiving the Kingdom he proclaims, and living out his word with sincere hearts, can we avoid living like the people of Nazareth. For then, though we dwell in this passing world, we foretaste the joys of the Kingdom of Heaven. We will no longer follow the desires of the flesh, but will be led by the Holy Spirit, setting our minds on the things of the Spirit. Imitating the Mother of God, we will do the will of the Father in all things, and thus truly become his brothers, sisters, and mother.

O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law
upon love of you and of our neighbor,
grant that, by keeping your precepts,
we may merit to attain eternal life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica