Fraternal love is the staple of Christianity. The fact that early Christians called each other brothers and sisters led those unfamiliar with the faith to believe that this new religion allowed incest among its members. We claim one heavenly Father and Jesus as our brother. But in his presentation of this universal love, Jesus goes beyond, telling us that whoever does the will of his heavenly father is not only his brother and sister, but also his mother.
A bold and beautiful affirmation that our Lord proposes, to think that all of us, regardless of age, regardless of gender can be like a mother to him. An expectant mother senses that from the depths of the mystery of her being, from the mystery of the world itself, something new is coming. And this new hope is completely enveloped by a love unique to her, a love that only she can give. Of course, after birth, the mystery and the love continue as she sees this new life take up life on his own.
Jesus continues to come to us, to take on life in our being. May we welcome the mystery that embraces the mystery of our own selves, may we envelop it with our own unique way of loving, and in so doing, may we marvel at the way he continues to act for us, in us, and through us in this world.