Why did Jesus' mother and family come looking for Him at the time today's Gospel tells us about? What did they want Him for? Because of the crowd around Him, they couldn't get near, but evidently did get a message to Him that they were there. And then what did they feel and think when He didn't come to talk to them, but instead made a curious statement about His mother and brothers being those who hear the word of God and act on it ?

Earlier in Luke's gospel we're told about Mary "keeping these things in her heart". She must surely also have wondered about what Jesus said that day in the crowd. High and loving praise for her, but it may also have seemed to diminish her importance. Physical motherhood, after all, is a most personal and intimate relationship and a very special kind of love. But love and the living out of God's word is a wider calling, to which Mary had already responded. Maybe Jesus that day was hinting towards what He would say to her from His cross, when He gave her into John's care, and through John gave her motherly care to us all.

We may not know what Mary and the others wanted that day. They certainly got far more than they could have been asking for - confirmation that it's not just flesh and blood that makes relationship with the Lord, but loving acceptance of Him.

And what do I want of Jesus today?