When someone would greet me with the term brother in church, I would cringe thinking to myself who is your brother? Fault finding was a norm, he/she doesn’t know how to dress appropriately, he/she is proud and I’m not greeting him/her anymore. The choir is too loud, the wardens are more like prison ones who never learned to smile.
I realised that all this was a result of not having a relationship with You, my Lord, my God. For being part of the body of Christ was a concept not a practice. It is only when my relationship with You grew in love, did my understanding and love for my sisters and brothers in Christ grow too. I started learning to love them; my fellow sinners we, who are all struggling to remain steadfast and faithful.
Those who are irreverent in dressing or demeanor had not yet encountered You in a personal way and it was up to us Your family to patiently and prayerfully facilitate that encounter so that they too can experience the joy of knowing You on a deeper level through Your Word.
Lord Jesus, we are one body in You and You in us. Grant us the wisdom, knowledge and courage to listen to Your Word and to act on it according to Your Will. Amen.
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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