Fr. Alexis Kouri: Welcome! I’m Fr. Alexis, and we are going to be reading through the Bible together, and I’ve got some friends that will be helping us, so let’s get started. Hey, everyone! Episode 61: we’re finishing the chapter today, and Constantine is here to help us! Constantine, what is our chapter?

Constantine: Matthew, chapter 12.

Fr. Alexis: And our verses?

Constantine: Verses 46 through 50.

Fr. Alexis: Fantastic! Let’s get started.

Constantine:

While he was still talking to the multitudes, behold: his mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with him. Then one said to him, “Look, your mother and brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with you.” But he answered and said to the one who told him, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” And he stretched out his hands towards his disciples, and he said, “Here are my mother and brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Fr. Alexis: Great, Constantine!

When we hear in the Bible about Jesus’ brothers and sisters, it’s important to know that the Bible uses those words to mean relatives, like cousins and other family members. Jesus’ mother, Mary, the Theotokos, never had any other children. But there were other people in Jesus’ family, and Jesus says here that all of us become his family when we stay close to him. We all become brothers and sisters of Jesus. And if we are brothers and sisters of Jesus, then we are brothers and sisters of each other, too. The Church is family, and all of us are members of that family. That’s a big family.

So, thanks again for reading, Constantine, and finishing chapter 12 of Matthew’s gospel for us. You did a great job.

Constantine: Thank you.

Fr. Alexis: Did you like it? Did you have a good time?

Constantine: I liked it. I loved it!

Fr. Alexis: I’m Fr. Alexis, and remember: Christ is in our midst!

Constantine: He is and ever shall be!