🔵 Thank you for supporting Lectio Divina Gifts! Please consider supporting the production of these daily reflections with a financial gift through Stripe, a secure payment platform that protects your data. Your support helps us keep going! From the responsorial psalm: "I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me. And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will."

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 3:31-35)

“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.”

As the mother of Jesus and his brothers stand outside, word is sent to Jesus that they wish to speak to him. Commonly referred to as brothers were extended family members such as cousins. Jesus tells the crowd who his family is as he looks around at each of them. At the coming of Jesus, Saint Paul tells us, the will of the Father takes the place of sacrifices of burnt offerings and sin offerings. "By this 'will,' Paul says, "we have been consecrated through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all."

God, help me dwell today on the divine guidance the readings give in doing your will. The psalmist says, "Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, 'Behold I come.' Here am I Lord; I come to do your will." Twice, the psalmist says, "waited"—"I have waited, waited for the LORD." God, come to my assistance; Lord, make haste to help me. Give me the grace today to recognize and accomplish your will.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.