We saw in last Saturday's reading that Jesus' relatives thought he was mad and could be a threat to the family. Today they are back again looking for him. It is again a teaching about the Christian's attitude to blood relationships and other people. The key word in today's passage is 'outside'. The family of Jesus was "standing outside" and again, "Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you." Jesus then asks, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" He answers his own question. Looking at the people who were sitting in a circle around him inside the 'house', he says: "Here are my mother and my brothers." And why are they his "mother and brothers"? Because "anyone who does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." When we unite ourselves to Jesus and to his Way, we enter a new family which takes precedence over all other human ties. We become insiders. It is not based on birth or race or nationality but on unconditional love of every other person. Finally, we notice that the mother of Jesus was mentioned. Was she also 'outside'? Hardly. From the moment of the Annunciation, she declared herself the slave girl of the Lord and proved it as she stood in solidarity with him amid the mocking crowds at the foot of the Cross.