In life, there will always be changes. Change is inevitable.
There is even a philosophical saying: You can never step into the same river
twice (Heraclitus)
Although for most of the time, change is usually for the
better, yet it cannot be denied that not all change is for the good. In other words, changes can bring about negative effects and
undesirable results.
In the 1st reading, we heard the great saving act
that God did for the Israelites – the miraculous parting of the sea that saved
the Israelites but doomed the Egyptians.
But the fact is that much earlier, God had sent the 10
plagues against Egypt. Yet it changed Pharaoh’s heart for the worse – it
hardened his heart.
And with that, his army met its fate in the depths of the
sea; whereas Israel in witnessing the great act that the Lord had performed
against the Egyptians venerated the Lord and put their faith in the Lord.
In the gospel, we hear Jesus asking this very astonishing
question – Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?
Is Jesus changing His family origins and identity? Is He
cutting off family ties and family relationships?
Of course not! But He is stating the one necessary criterion
that is necessary if we are to belong to His family – the change of heart in
order to do the will of His Father.
It is a change for the better, if fact for our good, so that
we can truly say we belong to Jesus. It is a change that will also save us.