Fr. Jerry Pokorsky: Bonds of Blood

By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, Catholic Culture,  Jan 06, 2025

Fr. Jerry Pokorsky is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington who has also served as a financial administrator in the Diocese of Lincoln. Trained in business and accounting, he also holds a Master of Divinity and a Master’s in moral theology. Father Pokorsky co-founded both CREDO and Adoremus, two organizations deeply engaged in authentic liturgical renewal. He writes regularly for a number of Catholic websites and magazines.

The bonds of blood unify families and tribes, but the universal mission of Jesus transcends every tribe and nation. Baptism incorporates us into the Mystical Body of Christ. The universality of the Church unites and informs all nations and every generation.

We see hints of Jesus’ universal mission in the Infancy narratives. Jesus is born into the tribe of Judah. The Magi come from afar to worship the newborn King, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gifts symbolize His universal rule, His divinity, and His redemptive suffering, as anticipated by the prophets. “All the families of the nations shall worship before him.” (Ps. 22:27)

Jesus appointed twelve apostles to transcend the twelve tribes of Israel. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Mt. 12:50) The parable of the Good Samaritan is a stinging indictment of a narrow view of brotherhood based on the bonds of blood alone. The tribe of Jesus transcends tribal bonds with the bond of discipleship in obedience to the Father. …..

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