You can choose your friends but not your family. Family members are a given. We are born into a family and they are the people who are responsible for our growth and development or lack of it. Our family are the closest and first ties we make as a child. Hence, the importance of family relationships.

In the Gospel reading, it is not Jesus' intention to downplay natural family ties. Jesus is telling us that being disciples and obeying God and doing His will is as profound and as important as having a natural family relationship. This new found community of believers warrant the members to consider each other as brothers and sisters and even mothers. These new relationships between the disciples show us the extent we can go if we are serious in following and doing the will of God.

This God whom we have such an intimate relationship with is a God who is faithful and merciful. Prophet Micah tells us that our God forgives sins and does not harbour anger. God is seen as a Father who takes care of His flock and leads them to pasture and cares for them. Therefore, God is indeed Father to us and we are His children. We are then expected to treat each other as brothers and sisters regardless of our religious background.