It's probably a really good idea to read the Bible from cover to cover at some point. It seems this passage just came up not too long ago while others seem to never be presented to us in any liturgy or daily readings. Be that as it may, one of the beautiful things about holy Scripture is that you always read them with a new heart and in a different point in your life. Read this passage today and one thing strikes you, read the same passage a week later, or years later, and you may come away with a totally different view, inspiration or message.
There are however, passages that are presented by the church with a specific exegesis. That is, a critical meaning, an official slant if you will. There is one in today's passage and it then reminds me of yet another.
The one we see here today is a reference late in the passage to Jesus' mother, brothers and disciples. The exegesis of the Roman church would be that Jesus had no brothers or sisters. They might support the notion that when they say "brothers" here the word actually references a term we might find in the 'hood' today, as in 'how is it going, brother?' It is an affectionate and familial term for someone close but not necessarily a blood relation. When the Roman church presents Mary as a virgin, they really mean it. It is heresy to even think that Mary had other children after Jesus.
The other thing that comes to mind is the exegesis of Matthew 16:18, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The official meaning or translation that the Roman church holds is that this is the imposition if you will of Peter being the first Pope, the first vicar of Christ on earth. Some might argue that point but I will not. It is though an official meaning.
What I would like to note is that these official meanings and translations avoid a truly important point for us, the person in the pew or the faithful trying to live a holy life. We must remember that the Spirit, yes thee Holy Spirit, is fully capable, willing and in fact does reveal truth to all of God's people in or out of the official Church. That is, no matter what that Church may say or do. God reveals Herself to all of us. When we read scripture our vision may be as correct as anything any official teaching may say. That is not to say that we can come up with any meanings willy nilly that we like without thought, conscience, education or reason. I only wish to point out that there is no church that has a 'lock' on what God means.
I have no problem with the thought that beloved Mary had real physical relations with Joseph and had actual brothers and sisters for Jesus to grow up with. I am sure some blue haired old lady just fainted but not before making the sign of the cross. What I think is important to know in this situation is that Jesus was fully human, grew up in a real family and knows fully the dynamics and situations of real life. Jesus is God but Jesus is also fully human.
By all means, continue to read Scripture, think on it, meditate on it until you get all pruney with the Word. Let God speak to you in your earnest desire to understand and to enrich your life.
John 2:1-12
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there for a few days.
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