January 27, 2026 // Optional Memorial of Saint Angela Merici, Virgin
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Mark 3:31-35
Reflect on the Word //
The Jeep rumbled over the bumpy, dirt road that led us to the regional hospital in the south of Ethiopia. The Sister brought us to the room of a woman suffering from meningitis who had no family to bathe, feed, or dress her. Sometimes the families lived too far away and could not stay for long, while others saw blood and bodily fluids as something frightening. In the end, we became like family for this woman and for many others we had the blessing to serve in this intimate way.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus refers to the disciples seated around him, listening to His every word, as family. He says, “Here are my mother and my brothers” (Mark 3:34), explaining that those who do the Lord’s will are His family. “Family” can be a loaded word at times because of the wounds that have been caused within our own families.
Yet, we Christians are called to join a family—the Church. In this family, like in our own nuclear families, we experience hardship, pruning, misunderstandings, and difficulties. Still, we are meant to strive together to know and love God and His holy will (see Mark 3:35). To serve one another in our vulnerabilities and needs; to be for the other a vessel of the love of God.
The Lord wants us to grow in intimacy with Him since we are family, so that we can become more bonded to our brothers and sisters. We are called to love not just those whom we like or can tolerate, but also the person who most gets on our nerves or makes life difficult. Even this person deserves to be welcomed into the family of God and loved well therein.
Let us say with Jesus as we look around at those in the pews at Mass, around our table at home, or even on the bus while heading to work, “Here are my mother and my brothers” (Mark 3:34), and let us love and serve them well.
Relate to the Lord // Stop by a Catholic Church today—your home—and visit Jesus, then share Him with your family.
Rocio Hermes is a Dominican-born, US-raised, stay-at-home mom who is excited about building community, baking desserts, and writing poetry. She holds a Master’s degree in Theology and has lived in Ethiopia as a missionary. Rocio now lives in Israel with her German husband and their son. She is a contributing author to Blessed Conversations: Dwell as well as Teaching Author on Blessed Conversations: Gift, a Study on the Eucharist. You can read more from her at graceandmercyblog.com.
Rocío Hermes es una mama de casa nacida en República Dominicana y criada en Estados Unidos, a quien le entusiasma construir una comunidad, hornear postres y escribir poesía. Tiene una maestría en Teología y ha vivido en Etiopía como misionera. Rocío ahora vive en Israel con su marido alemán y su hijo. Es autora colaboradora de Blessed Conversations: Dwell. Puede leer más sobre ella en Graceandmercyblog.com.
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