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.

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