The Gospel for The memorial of St. Pius of Pietracina priest is taken from Luke 8, Chapter 19 to the 21st. The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him, but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you. He said to them, reply, my mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it. There are two passages in scripture that make this particular passage make sense.

They both state that the family of Jesus thought he was crazy. The words they use is he was outside of himself. And so it’s clear that Jesus is saying here that his work is not to be arguing with people about whether or not he is who he says he is. He’s looking for people wide open to the most amazing signs and wonders that he’s performing. They are his calling card. They are what makes him so unique.

And those in his family worried probably about their reputation, just was very close to who he really was. Please ponder these images in your heart and when the music ends, I will close with a prayer. Foreign closing prayer. Father, bless us with an awareness of how easy it is for us to write off this marvelous plan that you have for each of us. It’s mysterious, it’s miraculous and powerful. So focus us always on what Jesus came to teach, his power flowing through us, doing wonders.

And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.