Jesus expands his family in today’s gospel to include all who hear the word of God and act upon it. Jesus isn’t saying something negative about his biological family, Fr Tony believes, rather he is inviting us to be like them as ones who listen to God and do his will.
[The elders of the Jews] completed this house [of God] on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The children of Israel – priests, Levites, and the other returned exiles – celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.
EZR 6:7-8, 12B, 14-20
“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
LK 8:19-21