Blood Relationship and Faith Relationship

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Sixteenth  Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Matthew 12:46-50*

*First Reading : Mich : 7:14-15, 18-20*

*Blood Relationship and Faith Relationship*

*1) Two types of Relationship*

In the Gospel of the day, we have two types of relationship

Blood relationship, which exists in the family 

Faith Relationship which exists between God and His children

*2) Blood Relationship*

It is commonly known that blood relationship is one of the strongest relationship which exists in the World 

Blood relationship exists between the family members 

This relationship is very strong between parents and Children and between the siblings 

It is very hard and difficult to break this relationship  

*3) Faith Relationship*

There also exists another level of relationship, which is faith relationship

Jesus draws our attention to this particular relationship 

He is calling us to rise above the blood relationship to faith relationship when is asks the crowd *Who is my Mother?  Who are my brothers?*

When he stretches his hand towards his disciples to tell *Here are my mother and bothers* this relationship gets a new level of understanding in God's family 

*4) Sacrifice of blood relationship for Faith relationship*

One of the common phenomenon which we see in the followers of Jesus 

They are ready to sacrifice the strong blood relationship in order to establish the faith relationship with the Lord 

That's why Jesus says *If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.* Luke 14:26

*5) Faith Relationship is Superior relationship*

Among all relationship faith relationship comes first 

God has primarily created us for the faith relationship 

Blood relationship and all other types of relationships are only various channels to strengthen the Faith Relationship

Even after having all types of relationship, and finally one mises the faith relationship, life seems to be useless and becomes aimless 

Without faith relationship, life becomes aburd and full of chaos and confusion

*6) My Faith Relationship*

How is my faith Relationship?

What is the importance do I give to this particular relationship? 

How do I use the various things like, prayer, Sacraments, bible, novenas, devotions, retreats and other spiritual exercises, which strengthen the Faith Relationship? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*