21 July 2026 — Tuesday of the 16th even-numbered week
Mi 7, 14-15. 18-20; Mt 12, 46-50
Homily
In Jewish tradition, the family and the clan were of the utmost importance. Loyalty to the family and the clan took precedence over everything else. Jesus certainly shows tender love for His mother; during His childhood He is obedient to His father and mother. But at the same time, He puts an end to the supremacy of the family and the exclusive nature of relationships within it. Love must no longer have any boundaries. It must be extended to everyone, even to one’s enemies.
Whilst urging us to honor our father and mother, Jesus says that anyone who does not renounce his father, mother, brothers and sisters cannot be His disciple. These radical words are not easy to interpret. They posed a real problem for the early monks, who wished to apply them faithfully whilst at the same time respecting the commandment to honor and love their parents. Solutions have varied over the centuries and according to circumstances; but the fundamental principle remains the same: one cannot be a disciple of Jesus without renouncing oneself and everything that belongs to us or is close to us.
When Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of my Father, that person is my brother, my sister, my mother…”, He is pointing out that, from now on, what matters above all else is that we are all one and the same great family, with one Father, who is our Father in heaven and who is as much a mother to us as a father.
And it is within this family, from which no one can be excluded, that we can restore, to their rightful place, all the special bonds that unite us to our earthly mother and father and to all those who are dear to us.
Armand Veilleux