Jesus Redefines Kimship

Then Jesus' mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters* are outside, asking for you." And Jesus replied, "Who are my mother and my
brothers?" And looking at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." --Mark 3:31-35

From the Nun Study, I ask two questions of us? First, to what extent can one find community that in fact helps us live longer and better lives? I will quickly venture an answer to this
first question. I think such community is all around us. The great gift of church communities is that we practice being the presence of community for others. Sometimes, community can even seem to be too much or overwhelming, especially for leaders or those for whom the survival of the community depends. For such leaders, I encourage the resources of CREDO and other ways in which a handle can be gained on your circumstances.

The second question is this: Is the truest community biologically connected? If so, how does one interpret Jesus' revision of true community through how he describes his true family in
Mark 3: 31-35. As I indicated in the beginning, what I am afraid of is that seeing we do not perceive. The Nun study helps us see that how we normally live our lives may or may not increase our quality and quantity of life. If we don't understand how our common destination is in God's presence and reign on earth, then we will fail to see the benefits of long life. C.S. Lewis once said a fish doesn't know it's wet. Well, we learn from the Nun Study that most of us are
wet with individualism--and it is shortening our life and vision of God. The Nun Study provides a dramatic contrast to what happens when there is community, namely long and better life.

Let us pray,
Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts,
in your divine providence you have appointed various orders in your Church: Give
your grace, we humbly pray, to all who are [now] called to any office and
ministry for your people; and so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and
clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before you, to
the glory of your great Name and for the benefit of your holy Church; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.