Reflection by Sem. Jillian Leztat Ressureccion
In today’s Gospel from Matthew 12:46–50, while Jesus was speaking to the crowd, someone told him that his mother and relatives were outside waiting for him. But instead of immediately going to them, Jesus replied with words that may sound surprising: “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.” At first, it may seem that Jesus was rejecting his own family, but that was never his intention. Instead, he was expanding the meaning of family. He was teaching that the deepest relationship we can have with him is not based on blood, but on our willingness to do the will of the Father.
This Gospel made me remember something very personal. Naalala ko noong senior high ako, halos walang buwan na hindi pumupunta si Mama sa school para kausapin ang prefect namin noon. Minsan nahihiya ako. Iniisip ko, “Mama, okay lang ako. Hindi mo na kailangang pumunta lagi.” Pero habang tumatanda ako, saka ko lang naintindihan kung bakit niya ginagawa iyon. Hindi pala iyon dahil wala siyang tiwala sa akin. Ginagawa niya iyon dahil mahal niya ako. Habang ako ay abala sa sarili kong mundo, may isang taong tahimik na nagsisigurong okay ako. Ngayon ko lang na-realize na minsan, ang pagmamahal ay hindi laging nararamdaman sa malalaking bagay. Madalas, nasa maliliit na bagay na lagi nating tine-take for granted.
Growing up, I always thought that family was simply the people I lived with, the people who shared my surname, my home, and my blood. But as I grew older, I realized that God slowly introduced me to another kind of family—a family that is not built by blood, but by love. A family that is not chosen by birth, but by a shared desire to follow Christ. And looking back, I realized that this is exactly how God has been working in my life. Habang may mga taong inilalayo ako ng buhay, mas marami rin siyang taong ipinapakilala sa akin—people who journey with me, correct me when I am wrong, pray for me, and remind me that I am never alone.
If I am being honest, there are still times when I miss home. May mga araw na gusto ko na lang umuwi. May mga pagkakataon na nami-miss ko ang simpleng pagkain sa bahay, ang boses ng pamilya ko, o kahit iyong simpleng sabay-sabay lang kaming kumakain. But I realized that God never leaves a heart empty. Kapag may hinihingi siya sa atin, lagi rin siyang may ibinibigay na kapalit. Maybe not the same people, maybe not the same place, but always the same love. And somehow, that gives me peace.
This Gospel also challenged me in another way. Jesus did not say that his family is made up of perfect people. He simply said, “Whoever does the will of my Father.” That means being part of God’s family is not about having no weaknesses or failures. It is about choosing, every single day, to follow him. Hindi ito tungkol sa pagiging perpekto. Ito ay tungkol sa pagiging tapat. Because sometimes, doing God’s will means forgiving when it hurts. Sometimes it means staying patient when you are already tired. Sometimes it means choosing love over pride, even when your ego tells you otherwise.
There was also a point in my life when I thought following God meant doing extraordinary things. I thought holiness had to be dramatic. I thought I had to accomplish something big before I could say I was truly following him. But little by little, I realized that holiness is often hidden in ordinary moments. It is found in waking up and choosing to pray even when you do not feel like it. It is found in doing your responsibilities with love. It is found in choosing kindness even when no one notices. Sometimes, holiness is simply saying, “Yes, Lord,” over and over again in the ordinary moments of life.
This Gospel reminds me that family is more than a relationship. It is also a mission. If I truly call someone my brother or sister in Christ, then I should also love them the way Christ loves them. Hindi sapat na magkasama lang tayo. Hindi sapat na iisang komunidad lang tayo. The real question is this: Are we helping one another become closer to God? Because that is what truly makes us family in the eyes of Christ.
As we reflect on the signs of the times, we live in a generation where the meaning of family is slowly becoming weaker. Relationships are becoming more temporary. People are becoming more connected online, yet more disconnected in real life. Marami ang may libo-libong followers, pero kakaunti ang tunay na matatawag na tahanan. Marami ang kilala ng maraming tao, pero kakaunti ang tunay na nakakakilala sa kanila. And because of this, Jesus reminds us that authentic relationships are not built only by blood or convenience. They are built by love, faithfulness, and a common desire to seek God together.
Amen.
By Jan Ernest Pàting
A second-year AB Philosophy student and aspirant of the Society of Saint Paul. He is currently discerning his vocation to the religious life inspired by the footsteps of the great apostle Paul.