Reflect on the journey of Mary and Jesus's family in Mark 3:31-35, and engage in a spiritual conversation inspired by today's Gospel reflection.
Today's Gospel: Mark 3:31-35
The Gospel we have today often poses problems in conversations about Our Lady and her perpetual virginity because we read about the Lord’s brothers. With the help of St. Jerome, we understand the brothers and sisters to be the cousins of Jesus. Other biblical citations, which are beyond the scope of our reflection today, support such a conclusion.
I’d like to draw our attention to two happenings at the beginning of the this Gospel. First, Jesus’s mother, Mary, and His brothers arrived at the house. This means that this group made a journey, walking together. I’d like to think of Mary and the conversations they were having. We do not know what they discussed, but what would you like to imagine they discussed? I think of Mary leading the conversation or the questions they wanted to ask her as mother of the Savior. What would you ask Mary if you walked alongside her? Second, it says they sent word to Jesus. Again, what do you think that word is? “Jesus, your family is here.” Or was it more detailed or specific?
From this little imaginative exercise, we realize we can ask Our Lady questions still today. and maybe in our silent prayer and meditation, we will sense an answer or response. I know that I’ve had this experience of possibly intuiting something from Our Lady. Similarly, we can send word to Jesus, as that is essentially what we do when we pray. The events of the Gospel are not distant events, but they are happening again through our lived experience. As we become present to the Gospel today, let us do the will of God so we can be called a brother or sister of the Lord.
Ponder:
What is your contribution to any of the conversations that have occurred in our Gospel today?
Pray:
Lord Jesus, I am here and I wish to see and hear You. Allow me to hear Your Word and do Your will so I can be counted as one of Your disciples.
Pray Together:
If you are able, go for a walk together today and have a holy conversation or talk about a spiritual topic around the dinner table tonight.
Copyright 2026 Fr. Edward Looney
Fr. Edward Looney is a priest of the Diocese of Green Bay, a Marian theologian, author, and podcaster. He has a presence on many of the popular social media platforms.
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