＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13

   In the hands of Yahweh,

The heart of the king is like running water; he directs it wherever he wishes.  To the eyes of man all his ways are honest but it is Yahweh who weighs the heart.  To do what is upright and just pleases Yah­weh more than sacrifice.  

Haughty looks, proud heart, the light of the wicked is sin.  The plans of a hardworking man result in earnings; poverty is for those who act too hastily.  To make a fortune by means of deceit is like running after the wind; the end is death.  

The soul of the wicked desires nothing but evil; not even his friend is treated with compassion.  When the mocker is punished the ignorant man grows wise; when the wise man is instructed he grows in knowledge.

The Just One watches the house of the evildoer and hurls the wicked into misfortune.  He who is deaf to the poor man’s cry will not be heard when he himself calls out.

 

Ps 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44

Guide me, Lord, in the way of your commands.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Luke 8:19-21

Then his mother and his relatives came to him, but they could not get to him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing out­­side and wish to meet you.” Then Jesus answered, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

The Dutch artist, Willem De Kooning, said that painters normally have many women but only one wife: the brush. When a painter gets hold of his brush, no mother, wife, or child can disturb him.

Jesus looks at the mission given by the Father to Him as His mother, brother, or sister. He ia singularly focused on the work of God disallowing any interruption, even that of His relations. Jesus establishes a deeper way of being family – not just by blood, not just by household.

Our being children of God the Father is the basis of our being related. The only ones who can then invade and occupy our hourly and daily business are God’s children.

In Jesus’ business, they are the poor, the sick, the sinners, and the outcast. If we want to claim relation with Jesus, we need to enter into his business.