B: 10th Sun of OrdTime (10 June 2018) - IS BLOOD REALLY THICKER THAN WATER? - Mk 3:20-35

A common adage goes: “Blood is thicker than water.” We often understand this as our justification in prioritizing familial matters over other reasons in our decision-makings. However, this appears to be the exact opposite of its exact meaning. The translation of a 13th century Heidelberg German manuscript reads: “I also hear it said, kin-blood is not spoiled by water”; in English it is expounded to: “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” Succinctly, this phrase means that a decision made under covenant (e.g., blood compact) is superior than one that respects only the mother’s bond.

This actually finds resonance in our gospel today when Jesus was charged by his relatives as being “out of his mind” (Mk 3:21), probably to stop him from his embarrassing prophetic ministry. Since Jesus had not been impeded, his mother and brothers sought to talk to him outside the crowd (v. 31). But Jesus only stood firm to his commitment to preach as he concluded, “Whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to me” (v. 35). Here, Jesus does not deny that he acknowledges his familial relations (= “water of the womb”), but to a greater degree he underlines a person’s commitment to being God’s faithful follower (= “blood of the covenant”).

In two days’ time, we will celebrate our 120th Independence Day from foreign domination. We gladly take pride of our Filipino roots, heritage and culture: “Mabuhay ang Filipinas!” (“Long live the Philippines!”). Specifically, we showcase to the world that we are a unique and a resilient people despite all the odds we have faced in history as a nation. This all boils down to our subscription to the mental construct that we are authentic children of the “Inang Bayan” (Mother Nation). Yet we ask: Are we becoming true Filipinos just because we are genuine off-springs of full-blooded Filipino parents? Can a foreigner be a true Filipino even if he/she adheres only to the Filipino principles and values?

Take for example the case of Amber Folkman who describes her family situation in the Philippines in her blog “A Momma Abroad”. She concludes her essay saying, “Since my boys were born and raised in the Philippines (minus one year for my eldest son), I have declared them Fil-Am. We may not have the passport to prove it, but they have the heart of the Filipino, and they are better for it.” (see: https://www.smartparenting.com.ph/parenting/real-parenting/i-want-to-raise-my-boys-knowing-filipino-values-a1746-20180329).

Indeed, I opine that Amber’s family is more Filipino than some of us, especially more than those who take for granted the value of the Filipino life or the worth of the Filipino dignity in the face of socio-political oppression. In concrete, I argue that the Australian missionary nun Sr. Patricia Fox is more Filipino than the majority of us as she continues to fight for the human rights of the Filipino poor in the margins. Sadly, unlike her, the silent majority just ignores the fact that many Filipinos are undefended and misrepresented especially in their quest for justice and equal identity.

Many will still argue that “blood is thicker than water,” understanding the phrase as an ascent to the independence of the Filipino national blood from critiques of international human rights advocates. But let us also put into mind that we all do have a greater family than the so-called Filipino genealogical blood, i.e., God’s one family of love.

Indeed, blood is thicker than water… but love is thicker than blood!

- Rex Fortes, CM