Chosen Family

West End UMC Podcast Audio Podcast

Chosen Family – Rev. Will McLeane is preaching on a story in Mark 3 when Jesus comes to his home, and the crowd is oppressive. The multitudes are there for different reasons: some because of his powers of healing, some because of the words he has spoken, and some who see him as a false prophet and a threat to the status quo. His own family members wonder if he hasn’t gone crazy as others think he may be inhabited by a devil. In the midst of this, Jesus tells a few parables and then asks, “Who are my mother and brothers?” He then defines his family as whoever does the will of God. For us this is an open invitation to go beyond any borders of family and history to understand that all of us who carry out the work of Jesus are family, and that this sense can serve to break down barriers and spread God’s love throughout humankind. It is the same as the invitation to gather around the Communion table – to sup together no matter who we are or where we have been.