Reflection for Tuesday September 23 Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest: Luke 8:19-21

Gospel: Luke 8:19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” 

He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

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Reflection:

How could we become relatives of Jesus?

We have to hear and live His words. It’s not enough to only hear them; we must also act and live them daily. Many of us forget that we preach the words of Jesus most effectively by the way we live, and we give more substance to our faith when it is made visible in our actions. 

In a family setting, children learn about their faith when their parents teach them about it. But they learn even more when what is taught is lived out by their parents. In this way, the family becomes stronger, united, and able to withstand whatever trials it may encounter. 

But what if parents are simply content with teaching without living their faith? There would be a failure in the effective transmission of faith. The children would not fully embrace what was taught to them, for the simple reason that their parents did not walk their talk. 

In the same way, we become true teachers of the faith when we practice what we preach. We gain entrance to the family of God for the very same reason. Let us, therefore, not be content with simply hearing the words of Jesus. Let us live them courageously and faithfully, no matter how tempting the devil’s offer not to live them may be. 

Belonging to the family of Jesus is not a matter of words alone but of a life truly conformed to His. Are we content with merely hearing His voice, or will we rise to the challenge of living His words in every choice, every action, and every moment of our lives? – Marino J. Dasmarinas