Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother. (Mark 3:35 nrsv)

Recently, I have spent a significant amount of time at family events. Some of these events are for and among my own nuclear and extended families. Other events are family gatherings to which I am graciously invited as a pastor.

At many and various family events over the past four to six weeks, I have noticed a recurring motto popping up within the toasts and informal conversations. Regardless of whether the family celebration or observance tends to be chaotic, joyful, or a mixture, I have heard the following motto: "Family first." In the face of all the pressures and powers that seek to fracture families, I get the motto. But how do we reconcile this philosophy with the sometimes blunt things Jesus has to say about family?

Surely Jesus knows how powerful families are in our lives. Jesus also knows through and through the pain that occurs and multiplies because of the dysfunction and sinful behavior within families. And I believe that many of the blunt perspectives Jesus proclaims to us about family life are aimed at warning us about how consuming and constricting families can be when they become idols and ends in and of themselves.

In light of the biblical witness, we need to revise the motto. Not "family first," but God's kingdom first—and families and our other important institutions next! Jesus is not so much about downplaying families as he is about creatively expanding the scope of family life. His will is for our families to be open, loving, and dynamic units of mission for the sake of carrying God's creative and redeeming love into the world. What would it mean for the families within our congregation of all shapes and sizes to see themselves as vehicles for God's mission? Think about it.

Let us pray… Merciful God, help us to behold and appreciate the fact that our families are not ends but means for carrying your creative and redeeming love into the world. Amen

Contributed by Pastor Dan
Monday June 11, 2012
Liturgical Year B: Week 29
Liturgical Color: Green
Sunday Gospel reading :
Lectionary 10 (Proper 5)
Second Sunday after Pentecost