Scripture
Matthew 12: 46-50
While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Ignatian Reflection
Chosen as Family
Today’s reading is not about Jesus disowning his family. His mother, after all, heroically heard and did the will of God. Rather, this is about Jesus opening his arms wide to accept us as brothers and sisters when we love God.
Have you ever been accepted into a family? Have you had someone who was once a stranger think of you, treat you, or call you a brother or sister, a son or daughter?
In many places St. Paul calls us adopted children of God. This is not a distancing. To be known and chosen as family is one of the most beautiful, warm and powerful loves we can experience, and what a brother we gain in Jesus.
—David J. M. Herr, SJ, is a Jesuit scholastic teaching philosophy at Xavier University in Cincinnati.
Ignatian Prayer
Jul 21, 2026
Prayer
Jesus,
Give me clarity to discern God’s will,
and courage to act out your love,
so that in stepping forward on God’s path,
I walk into your arms receiving me as brother.
Amen
—David J. M. Herr, SJ
The Daily Examen is a prayer technique developed by St. Ignatius to help us reflect on the events of the day to discern God's presence and direction. When Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus, he required the Jesuits to practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. It's a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.
The Examen structure presented below is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. Click here for more information from our partners in ministry at Loyola Press.
Daily Examen
1. Become aware of God's presence
God, I believe that at this moment I am in your presence and you are loving me.
2. Review the day with gratitude
God, you know my needs better than I know them. Give me your light and your help to see how you have been with me, both yesterday and today.
3. Pay attention to your emotions
God, help me to be grateful for the moments when people have affirmed me and challenged me. Help me to see how I have responded, and whether I have been kind to others and open to growth.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it
God, forgive me for when I have not done my best or have failed to treat others well. Encourage me, guide me, and continue to bless me.
5. Look toward tomorrow
As I look to the remainder of this day, make me aware that you are with me. Show me how to be the person you want me to be.
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