FIRST READING
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, 13: 1-8

Brethren: Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never fail you nor forsake you.” Hence we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?” Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 27: l .3.5.8c-9abc (R. I a)
R/. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
whom should I dread? R/.

Though an army encamp against me,
my heart would not fear.
Though war break out against me,
even then would I trust. R/.

R/. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

For there he keeps me safe in his shelter
in the day of evil.
He hides me under cover of his tent;
he sets me high upon a rock. R/.

It is your face, O Lord that I seek;
hide not your face from me.
Dismiss not your servant in anger;
you have been my help. R/.

ALLELUIA Luke 8:15
Alleluia. Blessed are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience. Alleluia

GOSPEL
“John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 6: 14-29

At that time: King Herod heard of Jesus; for his name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head in. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION
It has been said that ‘the evil that men do lives after them’. This saying comes true in the life of Herod who, on hearing about Jesus, exclaims, ‘it is John, whom I beheaded.’ He becomes really afraid and his past evil disturbs him. But it is equally true that ‘the good that men do lives after them’. Yes, John the Baptist continues to be relevant even in the mind of the wicked Herod. John lived a life of love and preached the same love to all including Herod, whom he told that it was unlawful for him to have his brother’s wife. Despite all odds, hatred, rejection and other evils in our quest to show love, we must ‘let brotherly love continue and must never neglect hospitality’.

FIRST READING
“The Lord disciplines him whom he loves.”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews 12:4-7.11-15

Brethren: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons? — “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” spring up and cause trouble, and by it the many become defiled.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 103: I -2.13-14.17-18a (R. see 17ab)
R/. The mercy of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all within me, his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and never forget all his benefits. R/.

As a father has compassion on his children,
the Lord’s compassion is on those who fear him.
For he knows of what we are made;
he remembers that we are dust. R/.

R/. The mercy of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.

But the mercy of the Lord is everlasting
upon those who hold him in fear,
upon children’s children his justice,
for those who keep his covenant. R/.

ALLELUIA John 10:27
Alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 6:1-6

At that time: Jesus came to his own country; and his disciples followed him. And on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offence at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION
knowing people so well may hinder us from knowing them truly. We get so used to what we have known of people that we tend to be blind to what they have become or are becoming. For the people of Jesus’ hometown, ‘This is the Carpenter, surely…’ and they would not accept him.’ The wisdom in his teachings and the reports about his power, even those that were before their very eyes did not fit into their initial knowledge and impression of him, and thus were unacceptable to them. They did not know that the Carpenter was also the Messiah they awaited and hence, rejected him and he could work no miracle there. We must be careful not to let our familiarity blind us to the wonders of God’s ways. Being a Christian in this age and time requires great openness to God’s continual action in the church, in the world and in our very own brothers and sisters. We must be careful not to set a boundary as to the extents of God’s wonders and his ways.

FIRST READING

“Let us run with perseverance thee race that is set before us.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 12:1-4)

Brethren: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 22:26b-27.28 and 30.31-32 (R. see 27b)

R/. They will praise you, Lord, who seek you.

My vows I will pay before those who fear him.

The poor shall eat and shall have their fill.

They shall praise the Lord, those who seek him.

May their hearts live on forever and ever! R/.

All the earth shall remember and return to the Lord,

all families of the nations worship before him.

They shall worship him, all the mighty of the earth;

before him shall bow all who go down to the dust. R/.

And my soul shall live for him, my descendants serve him.

They shall tell of the Lord to generations yet to come,

declare his saving justice to peoples yet unborn:

“These are the things the Lord has done.” R/.

ALLELUIA Matthew 8: 17

Alleluia. Christ took our infirmities and bore our diseases. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Little girl, I say to you, arise.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 5:21-43)

At that time: When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, and begged him, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well.” And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?”’ And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them,- “Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi”; which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and walked; for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

In an age of instant food, instant miracles, instant money etc, perseverance seems to have no place. But the truth is that perseverance is the key to success. To run the race of life and attain eternal happiness in the end, we must be ready to persevere, keeping ‘our eyes fixed on Jesus’. The woman with a hemorrhage persevered despite the hindrance of the crowd and got her healing. Jairus persevered in faith despite the news of the death of his daughter. St Agatha, whose memorial we celebrate today, also persevered in faith despite persecution and won a martyr’s crown. As the scripture makes clear to us, life is a race, and running with perseverance is what will help us win the race. Surely the difficulties and hurdles of life may make us look for instant answers but focusing on Jesus and persevering gives us a lasting answer.

FIRST READING

Through faith they conquered kingdoms. God will provide something better for us.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 11:32-40)

Brethren: What more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated — of whom the world was not worthy— wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 31 :20.21.22.23.24 (R. 25)

R/. Be strong, let your heart take courage, all who hope in the Lord.

How great is the goodness, LORD,

that you keep for those who fear you,

that you show to those who trust

you in the sight of the children of men. R/.

You hide them in the shelter of your presence,

secure from human scheming;

you keep them safe within your

tent from disputing tongues. R/.

Blest be the Lord for he has wondrously

shown me his merciful love in a fortified city! R/.

“I am far removed from your sight,”

I said in my alarm.

Yet you heard the voice of my plea

when I cried to you for help. R/.

Love the Lord, all you his saints.

The Lord guards the faithful.

But the Lord will repay to the full

the one who acts with pride. R/.

ALLELLIA Luke 7: I6

Alleluia. A great prophet has risen among us, and God has visited his people. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

“Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.’”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 5: 1-20)

At that time: Jesus and his disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had come out of the boat, there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who lived among the tombs; and no one could bind him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out, and bruising himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshipped him; and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” And he begged him eagerly’ not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him, “Send us to the swine, let us enter them.” So he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea. The herdsmen fled, and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus, and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their neighbourhood. And as he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. But he refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for, you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and all men marveled.

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

Economic profit often blinds us to the importance of human dignity and development. While, to the people of the Gerasenes, about 2,000 herd of swine was more important than the possessed man, our Lord Jesus was more concerned about the salvation of the human person. Just look at the situation of the possessed man again. ‘He lived among the tombs and no one could restrain him even with chains. His situation was indeed pathetic. No wonder Jesus permitted the unclean spirit to go into the herd of swine. Yes, man needs to keep realizing that ‘he is worth more than a hundred sparrows’ and that the Lord is ready to make any sacrifice to save him. In the same way, man must be ready to sacrifice everything to save his fellow men and women. By this, we will bring God to everyone and his presence will always abide with us.

FIRST READING

You endured a hard struggle. Therefore do not throw away your confidence.

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 10:32-39)

Brethren: Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on the prisoners, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. “For yet a little while, and the coming one shall come and shall not tarry; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 37:3-4.5-6.23-24.39-40 (R. 39a)

R/. From the Lord comes the salvation of the just.

Trust in the LORD and do good;

then you will dwell in the land and safely pasture.

Find your delight in the Lord,

who grants your heart’s desire. R/.

Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in him, and he will act,

and make your uprightness shine like the light,

the justice of your cause like the noon—day sun. R/.

By the Lord are the steps made firm

of one in whose path He delights.

Though he stumble he shall never fall,

for the Lord will hold him by the hand. R/.

But from the Lord comes the salvation of the just,

their stronghold in time of distress.

The Lord helps them and rescues them,

rescues and saves them from the wicked:

because they take refuge in him. R/.

ALLELUIA Matthew 11:25

Alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

A man scatters seed, and while he sleeps it grows, he knows not how.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 4:26-34)

At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, lie knows not how. The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

The Gospel of the Lord

TODAY’S REFLECTION

It is true that the Blood of Jesus saves us. Yet the readings today tell of our own part in gaining salvation. The Christian exposed to danger should be ready to be insulted because of his faith. He accepts the insult cheerfully in the hope of the promises it offers. Endurance is very necessary. It is one’s faith that proves someone righteous. The Christian is not given a timid spirit; rather, we must remain faithful until our salvation is achieved. We can do this as we are on a mission to spread the kingdom of God. We must play our part while God achieves perfection for us. Our salvation is wrought by God, but not without our own effort.

FIRST READING
Rise and be baptised, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of Jesus.
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 22:3-16).

In those days: Paul said to the people [in Jerusalem], “I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as you all are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brethren, and I journeyed to Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. As I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ And when I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well-spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And in that very hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Just One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptised, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”’

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalm117:1.2(R Mark16:15).
R. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.
Or: Alleluia.

O praise the Lord, all you nations!
Acclaim him, all you peoples! R.

For his merciful love has prevailed over us;
and the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. R.

ALLELUIA John 15:16
Alleluia. I chose you from the world that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, says the Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 16:15- 18).

At that time: [Appearing to the Eleven,] Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul that we celebrate today teaches us that there is no one God cannot us as an instrument for spreading the kingdom of God on earth. It also teaches us that no one can be considered as written-off as long as he or she is still alive because a sinner can change and become a saint. Above all, it shows the power of God at work in each one of us. Saint Paul’s conversion shows this power in his life because out of a persecutor God made a preacher of Christ and teacher to the nations. Hence, Saint Paul continually expresses gratitude to God for this wonderful grace and keeps praying for final perseverance lest having preached to others, he ends up a castaway. May the constant intercession of Saint Paul obtain for us daily true conversion from our old ways and thereby conform to the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

FIRST READING

“Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.”

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 10:1-10)

Brethren: Since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices which are continually offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? If the worshippers had once been cleansed, they would no longer have any consciousness of sin. But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sin year after year. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ as it is written of me in the roll of the book.” When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 40:2 and 4ab. 7-8a. 10. 11 (R. 8a.9a)

R/. See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

I waited, I waited for the Lord,

and he stooped down to me; he heard my cry.

He put a new song into my mouth,

praise of our God. R/.

You delight not in sacrifice and offerings,

but in an open ear.

You do not ask for holocaust and victim.

Then I said, “See, I have come.” R/.

R/. See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly.

My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O Lord. R/.

Your saving help I have not hidden in my heart;

of your faithfulness and salvation I have spoken.

I made no secret of your merciful love

and your faithfulness to the great assembly. R/.

ALLELUIA Matthew 11:25

Alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

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

“Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

At that time: The mother of Jesus and his brethren came; and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brethren are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brethren?” And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brethren! Who- ever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

TODAY’S REFLECTION

It is laughable to hear people say Jesus rejects his mother or insults her with the question he poses in the Gospel today. Instead, he elevates her even higher. Note that the Angel’s message to her (Luke 1:38) is not an imposition. She is free to refuse to be part of God’s plan but she accepts and cooperates with it. She therefore becomes Christ’s mother, having kept and obeyed the word of God. In the same way, Christ now proposes to us a relationship that topples biological identity. It is not a prerogative of any one or any race to belong to this relationship. One comes in only through faith and obedience to the will of God. Being Jesus’ relative offers one an ample opportunity to share in the abundance of life that he brings.