The Will of God

Tuesday of the Third a Week in Ordinary Time

Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church

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Gospel of Mark 3:31-35

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.

A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply,“Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,“Here are my mother and my brothers.  For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas.  He's considered the Angelic Doctor of the Church.  As one of the most influential Dominicans of all time, he wrote extensively on theology and philosophy.  His Summa Theologica is a momentous work.  (During my Lay Dominican studies, I will spend a lot of time reading Aquinas.)  Saint Dominic did not write much during his lifetime since he devoted so much time to praying and preaching. Thank the Lord we have other brilliant Dominicans such as Saint Thomas Aquinas who wrote extensively.   The Church has preserved these writings which still enrich us even in modern-day time.

Who are my mother and brothers?   This scripture passage has always bothered me.  How can Jesus even question who is mother is?  Who are these brothers?  Are they relatives and cousins?  Why deny his own family members? It doesn't make a whole lot of sense until you think about his divine nature.  Anyone who followed Jesus, performing actions and deeds in line with the will of God, became like a real brother, sister and mother.    Jesus is the shepherd over his sheep.  Also, Jesus is a member of the human family.  All of us are interconnected by our love for God, our adherence to the commandments, and our desire to help one another. Most mothers would burst into tears if their only son denied their existence.  Most siblings would be shocked if a brother asked them, "Who are you?"  

Oftentimes, following the will of God means family sacrifice.  The early disciples, some who were even married, left their families in order to journey with Jesus.  Catholic priests and religious  choose to serve the Lord over marriage and children.   Then there is the traditional family with its growing pains.  A married couple may be struggling to make ends meet financially, or they are raising children who do what they want with a sense of entitlement.  

Following the will of God is straightforward.  It's common sense!  It doesn't take a brilliant theologian like St. Thomas Aquinas to do what God asks of us.  The greatest challenge is setting aside our own pride, ego, and selfishness.  We rather do things our way than God's way!  We think big and dream big.  We want more and more and more.  We don't stop to think for a moment that all of the "things" in life we wish for may not be what God thinks is best for us.  St. Thomas Aquinas was known to be quite stubborn in his lifetime. (Oh how I know about stubborn Italians. I being one of them.....)  His parents wanted him to become an abbot with a Benedictine congregation.  Thomas had his eyes set on the new Dominican order.  Tradition has it that his own family locked him away for a year, even tempting him with a woman, trying to get him to change his mind.  It didn't work!  Thomas Aquinas later became an amazing Dominican theologian:  It was God's will.  Not the will of his pushy family.

This week let us think of ways we can better follow the will of God.  Show kindness and patience.  Pray and meditate.  Examine the conscience and seek a humble confession.  Attend mass and receive holy communion. Maybe even read some of Aquinas' hymns and writings for inspiration.  

St. Thomas Aquinas, Pray for Us! 

-J.