Put it into practice

How much do we actually love God? Do we love Him through unthinking habit, in the
convenience of culture and familial tradition, or just because it is rather
pleasing and in popular within our social circles? Jesus tells us today plainly,
that “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into
practice (Lk 8:21)”. More pointedly, the account given in Mark’s gospel (Mk 3:33)
has Jesus saying, “Who is my mother; who are my brothers and sister?”

How are we to take the love we proclaim and “put it into practice”? Do we also
imagine it to be easy to practice? It is easier for me to admit, “of course it’s
not going to be easy!” than to continue on, “but I will do as He says in spite of
the hardship.” The first reading today of King Darius declaring to his kingdom the
continuation from the decree of King Cyrus (his predecessor whom we read in
Monday’s readings) for work to begin on the Temple of God of the land of Jerusalem.
Like King Cyrus, whose spirit was roused by the Lord (Ezra 1:1), King Darius exerts
“I, Darius, have issued this decree. Let it be obeyed to the letter!” and even
warns that anyone who dares defy this and destroy the Temple will be overthrown.