Article July 1, 1967 Issue

What of Family Relations?

ALICE E. BURHANS

Jesus' starting point in handling family relations was God. He saw so clearly his relationship to God as His beloved Son that when he was told that his mother and his brothers wanted to speak to him, he could reply, without callousness or disdain: "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?...Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." ^{ Matt. 12:48, 50;}

The Bible indicates that there were other occasions when Jesus was faced with the necessity of clarifying his position regarding family relations. It is safe to say that he did so each time with firmness that reflected Principle, but never did his lesson lack the higher sense of love. This Christlike sense of love brings with it the permanent blessing of greater spiritual understanding, whereas a merely human reaction of affection or sympathy does not have the power to heal and to bless.

For instance, although Jesus acknowledged no fleshly ties and indicated this pointedly to Mary, he nevertheless provided for her lovingly at the very moment of his crucifixion by leaving her in the care of a trusted disciple. Jesus' continued acknowledgment of only his spiritual heritage may have puzzled Mary at first. But as she pondered his statement in the temple that he must be about his Father's business (see Luke 2:46-51), she must have received the blessing; of an enriched sense of God's love for His children. "One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren,"^ 23:8; declared Jesus to his disciples and the multitude. "Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."

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