Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there for a few days.”
NL Daily Devotion for Monday, January 12, 2026
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Jesus doesn’t travel alone. From the beginning of his ministry in John, we see him moving about with his mother—she was at Cana with him, nudging him to work his first miracle or “sign” as John terms them. And here she is continuing to go with him to Capernaum, along with her other children and the followers Jesus has amassed to this point. I wonder why I haven’t stopped to really reflect on this before. Why was Mary (who is never actually named in the Gospel of John) wandering around with Jesus? And schlepping her other kids with him? Where was Joseph? Did she not have a permanent home in Nazareth? I’m sure there’s some theological reason why the writers of John included these little details about her. But it’s fascinating that in Matthew and Luke, Jesus makes a point of redefining family in a way that almost seems like a rejection of his Mary and his brothers and sisters, yet here we get the feeling that she is a faithful—and appreciated—supporter of his work. It’s in John where, from the cross, Jesus makes sure his mother is cared for after his death. And, yes, not by a biological sibling, but by John, so he is still redefining family. But he does not abandon his societal responsibility to the one who gave him birth.
I guess I don’t have any deep point to make here. It’s more of a wondering. Perhaps I can open it up to a reflection on who the people have been in my life who have supported me physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and who, in some way, I always have traveling with me wherever I go. Yes, my mom is chief among them, and my dad. But also certain mentors, close friends, childhood teachers, and more. Just like Jesus, I don’t travel alone. And thank God for that.
Who are the people, living and departed, who “travel” with me in my life? How have they supported me?
