Stewardship As Kinship

1. When is a family truly a family?

A family is truly a family when its weakest members—such as children, the sick, the elderly, or the vulnerable—are protected and cared for because that protection and care reflect the essence of what it means to be a family: love, support, and selflessness. The strength of a family is not measured by its power, wealth, or status, but by its capacity to embrace and uplift those who are most in need.

A family is truly a family when its members, no matter how diverse or different from one another, always feel at home. Each family is a blend of different personalities, talents, and capacities. Just take a look at our own families. I come from a brood of seven children, and the only things we all had in common were our family name, the same parents, and relatives. But beyond that, there were many differences—different likes and dislikes. As we grew up, I realized how different we were from each other.

But here’s the best part: despite our differences, a family protects and cares for one another, especially for those who are weaker. I have a brother who is handicapped, and we are very understanding of him because we are family. The family becomes a place where each member’s unique strengths complement the others. The strong support the weak, and in turn, they learn compassion, patience, and humility. It is in this mutual care that a family finds its true strength, recognizing that everyone’s contribution—whether visible or invisible—is essential.

2. Redefining Family

In today’s Gospel from Luke 8:19-21, Jesus is told that his mother and brothers are outside, wanting to see him. Jesus responds, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it." At first, this might seem like Jesus is rejecting his earthly family.

But in fact, he is expanding our understanding of what it means to belong to his family. Family is not limited to biological ties. In this passage, he redefines family as those who hear the word of God and put it into action. And this is revolutionary: anyone who seeks to do the will of God becomes part of his family. We are invited to enter into this spiritual family, where love, faith, and obedience to God’s word create the deepest bonds.

3. Stewardship of Creation

Finally, Jesus’ call to act on the word of God extends beyond our relationships with people; it also includes our relationship with all of creation. In the spirit of St Francis of Assisi, we are reminded that the earth and all its creatures are part of God’s creation and deserve our care and respect. We owe a lot to St. Francis when he called the sun, the moon, or the animals his brothers and sisters—which embodies his deep sense of "stewardship as kinship." When I see a dying creature, I feel compelled to help. Why? Because I see that creature as a brother or sister; he or she has now become part of the family.

In our modern world, this call to care for creation is urgent. Just as we care for our human brothers and sisters, we are also called to care for the plants, animals, and the very earth that sustains us. I always say that ignorance of creation is ignorance of the Creator. If we do not learn how to care for other creatures during our lifetime on earth, we will be answerable when we are in heaven. Jesus will ask us, "What you did not do to these least brothers and sisters, you did not do to me." And the last line of today's First Reading says it with an air of damnation, "He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard" (Pro 21:13).

Today’s Gospel challenges us to rethink what it means to belong to Jesus’ family. It is not just about blood ties. It is not just about favoring the strong, but about looking after the weak. It is not just about hearing God’s word, but about acting on it. It is not exclusive but inclusive, welcoming not only fellow human beings but all of creation, which is also our family. Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, may we embrace all people and all creatures as part of our family. May we serve them with humility, compassion, and love as You have shown in Your Holy Family. And may our love for others and for creation, and those You have entrusted to us, be a reflection of our love for You. Amen.

Fr JM Manzano SJ