When our world collapses or we experience disrupted lives, it is not the end of the story. The people of Israel saw their temple and city destroyed, and they spent fifty years in exile in Babylon. Now it was over - they were home, but everything lay in ruins. There was a surprise: Darius the Persian king gave orders and funds for the rebuilding of the temple. Help comes from unexpected places sometimes, even from former enemies. There was now hope, and with hope all things were possible.

Jesus always stretches our hearts and minds. His words concerning his family sound strange, almost as if he were turning his back on his mother and his brothers. Actually, he is expanding his family. Not just those related by blood belong to his family, but anyone who hears the Word of God and acts on it. This last part is most important: acts on it. It is easy to say one is a follower of Jesus but just as a fellow traveller along for the free ride. Those called into this new relationship with the Lord are those willing to be transformed and to live in a different way, leaving behind selfishness and sin. The Lord calls us to have a global heart and mind. We have several billion potential brothers and sisters!