THE WORD

Mic 7,14-15 / Mt 12,46-50

While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. (Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.”)

But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

IN OTHER WORDS

In a recent diaconate ordination of our SVD confreres, the gospel passage above came out very alive. At the end of the ceremonies, as one newly ordained deacon faced the parishioners gathered to witness the ordination, he became very emotional. He felt deeply sad that his parents, his family and those close to him could not come and be part of the celebration. However, he was deeply consoled and very happy that even though he came to our community only for a very short time, just to prepare for his perpetual vows and diaconate ordination, the parishioners were there and gave him their whole-hearted support and encouragement. He felt they were mother, father, brothers and sisters to him. He was no longer someone who came from another country, a total stranger, but one who had become a part of the community – a family member. And the parishioners were delighted that what they thought was a natural thing to do in a parish was for that deacon a concrete way of doing God’s will. He thought he was an orphan, a stranger. But no more, he had become a welcome member of the family.

On our part, have we been sensitive and grateful enough to acknowledge the blessings heaped upon us by people who unknowingly became fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters to us especially during times we felt alone and a stranger?

• Fr. Victor Yparraguirre, SVD | Taiwan, ROC

The Word in other words 2016

An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.

	Production : Fr. Carlos Maria de Guzman, Jr., SVD and Staff of Logos Publications
	Cover Design : Malou E. Domingo
	Liturgical Calendar : Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD
	Production Consultant : Fr. Gerardo del Pinado, SVD
	Scriptural Texts : New American Bible and Daily Roman Missal
	Cover artwork based on photos by Fr. Bar Fabella, SVD
	Published by : Logos Publications, Inc. 1916 Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
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