Daily Devotional: Family

Hey fabulous friends! Welcome back! Today, we're diving into the daily devotional, sharing a quick uplifting thought to brighten your day. Take a moment to reflect on Mark 3:20-35 in your preferred Bible translation before continuing.

[Jesus’s] mother and brothers arrived. They stood outside and sent word to him, calling for him. A crowd was seated around him, and those sent to him said, “Look, your mother, brothers, and sisters are outside looking for you.” He replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Looking around at those seated around him in a circle, he said, “Look, here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does God’s will is my brother, sister, and mother.”

The Gospels offer little about Jesus's family background. Mark, without a birth narrative, provides few details. In this passage, people begin to criticise Jesus, suggesting he is possessed. His mother and siblings then arrive amidst this scrutiny.

The text leaves unanswered why they came. Perhaps they had heard rumours and sought to warn him, or maybe they wished to persuade him to return home, or even join his cause. Jesus declines to meet them, his motives unclear.

As queer and trans individuals, we may resonate deeply with this passage. Even with supportive families, hurtful moments may occur on the path to understanding or acceptance. Conversely, some may lack affirming support altogether. Jesus demonstrates two powerful lessons here: the importance of setting boundaries, even with family, for self-protection, and the value of chosen family—those who offer unwavering support and understanding.

Reflection Questions:

Have you experienced estrangement from your family of origin? How did that affect you?

Who constitutes your chosen family? What significance do they hold in your life?

What does it signify to you that Jesus experienced estrangement from his family of origin? How do you interpret his choice to surround himself with those who accepted and supported him?

Practical Exercises:

Write a note of gratitude to someone in your chosen family for their supportive role.

Express appreciation to a surrogate parent or mentor who has guided you.

Extend support to someone who may benefit from community or encouragement.

That concludes our devotional session for today! I hope this message has filled your day with positivity. If it resonated with you, please consider showing your support by liking this video and subscribing for future uplifting content. Thank you for joining us today, and remember to embrace your uniqueness! Take care and maintain a positive mindset until we meet again!

Footnotes:

Source: Kearns, S., & Murphy, B. (2020). "Queers the Word" - (Adapted for reflection of The True Kindred of Jesus). Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Image Title: "Chosen Circle" Source: Midjourney’s image generation model.

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