Did Jesus’ family not understand him? There seems no reference to his Mother Mary and other family members

Well, apart from the Birth narratives in Matthew and Luke, and after the return from Egypt we hear little more: the story of the finding in the Temple aged 12ish in Luke 2:41-52 and then…

Tradition says Joseph was a much older man (and some claim previously married in order to keep the perpetual virginity of Our Blessed Lady, but I think that is rubbish, because unlike us, the Jewish faith has a healthly view on sex, and it would be unthinkable that when it mentions “brothers and sisters” they are step-brothers etc. (There is a looong discussion to be had on Mary, who isimportant, but essentially all the ever-virgin stuff is more about God’s gracethan the condition of Mary’s hymen).

In Luke 2:19 and 2:51 it says both times that Mary “pondered these things in her heart” and so they key question which is still being fully worked out is “Who is this Jesus?” – If you grew up next to him you might mainly think of him as the Carpenter-guy. I often find it amazing when I see members of my Youth Group or my kids doing great,successful, important things, because I changed my children’s nappies and remember Youth Group kids as gawky teenagers, but Jesus did not fully enter into his ministry until he was about 30 (which is where Mark jumps right in). I shouldn’t be surprised that they do such great things, but as with everybody I and presumably the people of Nazareth, Aunties and Cousins found making the jump hard.

Mary clearly is a part of the early group of followers, which was much bigger than just the 12 apostles (I blame the patriarchy for almost writing out women and the peripheral followers). She is mentioned several times along the way and in passing (possibly if the aged Joseph was dead it was Jesus the firstborn’s responsibility) and is at the foot of the cross and in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Tradition says she went with John (to whom she was commended to at the crucifixion) to Ephesus and I have visited her Shrine there.

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