“Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is His mother not called Mary, and His brothers, James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man acquire all these things?” (Matthew 13:55-56)
Jesus grew up to manhood. Fully God, but this verse affirms Him to also be fully human. Behind this statement are those who cannot believe that God could become a mere human. But He is God and that is the mystery. It reminds us that what we can see is not the whole picture. Be led by the revelation that God has shown up and done for us what we could not do for ourselves. Do not be skeptical but believing.
Things are what they are. Was Mary a perpetual virgin and these mentioned, Jesus’ cousins? Did Mary have other children? Does it change the Gospel? We have brothers and sisters who may believe one or the other of these. Respect them and honor that Mary was the mother of our Lord. Beyond this, love your brothers and sisters in faith, just as they are commanded to love you. Our eyes should be on the Lord and not our particular understanding of what we think about these things.
Lord Jesus, in the mystery of the incarnation, You have shown up to save us. Help me to keep my eyes upon You so that I may be guided by the Gospel which You have given me. Take away from me any desire for contention and lead me according to Your will. I have many questions Lord, but You have already given the only answers I truly need. You have come so that I may have a renewed life, and live into becoming what You are creating of me. Clear the path before me so that it will be You alone who guides me. Amen.
