Who Is My Mother and Who Are My Brothers?

The Quintet of the Astonished (Still image from video installation), Bill Viola, 2000. National Gallery of Art, London, England.

“These are My Mother and Brothers” from the album Even There. Composed by Heather Schopf. Performed by Forever Be Sure Music (FBS).

Poetry:

“Like Brothers We Meet”
by George Moses Horton

Dedicated to the Federal and Late Confederate Soldiers

Like heart-loving brothers we meet,
And still the loud thunders of strife,
The blaze of fraternity kindles most sweet,
There’s nothing more pleasing in life.

The black cloud of faction retreats,
The poor is no longer depressed,
See those once discarded resuming their seats,
The lost strangers soon will find rest.

The soldier no longer shall roam,
But soon shall land safely ashore,
Each soon will arrive at his own native home,
And struggle in warfare no more.

The union of brothers is sweet,
Whose wives and children do come,
Their sons and fair daughters with pleasure they greet,
When long absent fathers come home.

They never shall languish again,
Nor discord their union shall break,
When brothers no longer lament and complain,
Hence never each other forsake.

Hang closely together like friends,
By peace killing foes never driven,
The storm of commotion eternally ends,
And earth will soon turn into Heaven.

WHO IS MY MOTHER & WHO ARE MY BROTHERS?

The notion of family, even extended family, is a consistent theme throughout the Bible. Many of the Bible stories we learn as children or teens include the intricate dynamics of family life. From sibling rivalry (Genesis 4) to parental favoritism (Genesis 27 & 37) to the unexpected dedication of a daughter-in-law to her mother-in-law (Ruth 1), all have made their way into Scripture. Even The Ten Commandments takes time to highlight the benefit of honoring your father and mother. Our most sacred text repeatedly makes clear that God created family for purpose and that purpose is accomplished in the twist and turns of familial relations.

The virgin birth of Jesus pushes our understanding of family even further as God, our Heavenly Father, entrusts the womb of an engaged young woman, Mary, to bring his only begotten son into the world. The angel that informs Mary of her unique situation, tells her of a family member, Elizabeth, who is also experiencing a miraculous birth and Mary goes to Elizabeth for comfort and guidance. (Luke 1) Our Savior, Jesus the Christ, grows up in a “traditional family” with mom, dad and siblings, however, he is mindful from an early age of his calling to not simply be a carpenter like his earthly father, Joseph, but to focus on the work of his Heavenly Father (Luke 2).

As Jesus moves further into ministry, his teaching about family takes on new meaning. He places less focus on biological connections and begins to define family by shared belief in God. His references throughout the Gospels including Luke 11:27-28 and Matthew 12:46-50, emphasize his commitment to uniting those who share not only a love for one another but their love for God and the things of God. Our love for God and the things of God are based on choice. It is common these days to hear young people speak of their “chosen family” referencing those who they see as family based on choice as opposed to biology. Indeed, we can call those who have made the choice to accept Christ as their savior and to live for God “His chosen family.”

As we ponder Jesus’ third word from the cross, we recognize that with his last breaths, his definition of family is yet again being demonstrated as he unites Mary and John as mother and son. Their spiritual connection and their faith in God were the basis of Jesus’ utterance and the eternal value of the statement. They would not only be connected on earth but also in heaven. Standing at the graveside of a person that you know you will see again in heaven provides a peace amidst grief that can’t be matched. In the song “These are My Mother & Brothers” the lyrics reference a “heaven’s reunion” that is dependent on “knowing our Lord and doing His will.”

As we travel through this Lenten season and seek to fully grasp the meaning of Jesus’s utterances from the cross, might we (re)commit to evangelizing so that we can embrace new family members that Jesus’ wants us to behold? There is a mother in need of a child and a child in need of a parent, that if we shared the love of God with them, they could become our family here on earth and in heaven too. Let’s commit to beholding a new family with the love of God in this Lenten season.

Prayer:
Lord, with a humble heart, I bow my head in prayer.
I reflect on the value you placed on family in scripture.
Help me to value family as you desire me to.
I pray for my biological family and ask you to bless us and draw us nearer to you.
Help my family to grow in our love for you and each other.
Help us to set aside anything that causes separation from each other and you.
Rejuvenate our love for each other and the tomorrows you have blessed us with.
Lord, with new understanding, help me to open my heart to those who you have placed in my life as family.
Open my ears so that I may hear who you have assigned for me to walk alongside.
Open my eyes that I might see this new family member as you see them.
May the love of God permeate every aspect of these relationships.

Dr. Avis E. Hinkson
Vice President of Student Affairs
Pomona College
Claremont, California
Ordained Minister
LifeWay Church
Rancho Cucamonga, California