Faith Expands Our Home

Reflection Date: July 21, 2026 | Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Daily Readings: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Matthew 12:46-50

Children of God:
July 21 is the feast of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi.

Saint Lawrence of Brindisi was born in Italy in 1559 and was baptized Julius Caesar Russo. 

He lost both of his parents at a young age and was raised by relatives who hoped that he would pursue a successful career and bring honor to the family. 

However, Lawrence felt a deeper call from God. 

Despite family expectations and the opportunities that lay before him, he chose to enter the Capuchin Franciscan Order. 

He dedicated himself entirely to God's family, the Church, embracing a life of poverty, prayer, and missionary work. 

Gifted with an extraordinary memory and a talent for languages, he mastered several languages, including Hebrew, Greek, German, and Latin, so that he could preach the Gospel more effectively. 

He traveled extensively throughout Europe, strengthening Catholics during difficult times and promoting reconciliation among divided Christians. 

His commitment often meant long separations from relatives and the comforts of family life. 

Yet Saint Lawrence discovered that in serving Christ, he gained countless brothers and sisters in faith. 

In the gospel story of Matthew, Jesus taught that those who do the will of His heavenly Father belong to His true family.

What inspirations can we draw from this passage today?

First, doing God's will makes us members of a larger family.

In the gospel story of Matthew, while Jesus was speaking to the crowds, His mother and relatives stood outside seeking to speak with Him. 

When informed of their presence, Jesus responded in a surprising way by asking, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"

Then He pointed to His disciples and declared that whoever does the will of His Father is His brother, sister, and mother.

Jesus did not reject His biological family. 

Rather, He expanded the meaning of family. 

He revealed that spiritual relationships rooted in obedience to God are just as real and important as blood relationships. 

The Church, therefore, is not merely an organization; it is a family united by faith and love.

Many people today experience loneliness, distance from loved ones, or broken family relationships. 

Jesus offers consolation by reminding us that within the Christian community, we belong to a much wider family. 

Whenever we pray, worship, serve, and support one another, we live out this spiritual kinship.

Doing God's will makes us members of a larger family.

Second, true discipleship is measured by obedience to God's will.

Jesus emphasized that membership in His family depends not simply on association with Him but on doing the will of the Father. 

It is possible to know about Jesus without truly following Him. 

Genuine discipleship requires listening, trusting, and acting according to God's plan.

We are invited to ask ourselves whether we merely profess faith or actively live it. 

Doing God's will means forgiving those who have sinned us, serving when it is inconvenient, and remaining faithful even when sacrifices are required. 

In these daily choices, we reveal that we truly belong to Christ's family.

True discipleship is measured by obedience to God's will.

As we reflect today, let us ask ourselves: Do I recognize fellow believers as members of my spiritual family? 

In what concrete ways do I seek to do God's will each day? How can I strengthen bonds of love and support within my family and within the Church?

Children of God: 
The Church becomes truly alive when its members care for one another as brothers and sisters. 

We are called not only to receive love but also to extend it generously. 

Through faith, we are never isolated or abandoned. 

Christ continually gathers us into His family. 

May we always live as worthy members of that holy household.