As you read the Gospels and try to understand what they are saying to your life, certain ironies are bound to enter your thoughts. For example, a surface reading of many passages would seem to indicate that Jesus’ relationship with His family was anything but ideal. One exception to this is the beautiful passage in John’s Gospel in which Jesus looks down from the Cross and expresses love and concern for His mother. Despite His own pain, He turns to His friend John and asks him to treat Mary as his own mother. Earlier, however, we read of many episodes in which a strained relationship between Jesus and His family seems to have existed. At the wedding in Cana, Jesus’ mother tells Him of their host’s troubles. He replies, “Woman, how does this concern of yours involve me?” (Jn.2:4) On the surface, it appears to be a rather rude response. On another occasion Jesus’ mother asks Him to come home with her and He flatly…
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