Funny, there must be a rubber stamp with this phrase on it. I picture something from the movies: a school principal with ruler in hand, hands on hips, looking down at some poor kid who's scared to death... And wasn't the one who was wrong! Lol
Perhaps you've forgotten, or just wasn't into your Catholic Faith when growing up in it, but it is a part of our beliefs- not doctrine, not dogma. And the answer, my friend, might as well be blowing in the wind, for all the difference it will make to my belief and your disbelief, but, my sister in Christ, since you asked here it is:
Answer by Colin B. Donovan, STL on 11-27-2002:
Dear Brother in Christ, are you my blood brother, or a member of my Church, my synagogue, my race, my fraternity, my club, my police force, etc. etc. etc.? The term is equivocal, used in the Bible, as in contemporary life, for everything from blood brother to fellow Israelite. You must go to toerh (sic) texts to clarify it.
The alleged brothers and sisters were: JAMES, JOSES, SIMON, JUDAS, SALOME
1. In Lists of the Apostles Luke 6:15-16 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, [16] And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
Jude and James (the Lesser), like John and James (the Greater), are brother pairs among the apostles. Why does Luke not state that Jude and James are brothers of the Lord, instead of each other? Because he knows better. See below.
2. At the Cross Matthew 27:56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children [i.e. Apostles John and James (the Greater)].
Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
How likely is it that Mary the mother of Jesus is identified by Matthew as merely the mother of James and Joses and Salome? This other Mary is clearly not the Virgin Mary, but the mother of the apostles James (the Lesser) and Jude.
John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
It is difficult to discern whether this is 3 women - Mary, her sister Mary the wife of Cleopas and Mary Magdalene, or 4 women ? Mary, her unnamed sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas and Mary Magdalene. It likely that the traditional interpretation of the three Marys is correct. The second Mary would be a) the wife of Cleopas, b) the mother of James, Jude, Jose and Salome and c) sister-in-law to Mary and Joseph, Cleopas being Joseph?s brother. This would explain the use of sister for this second Mary. Otherwise, consistent Protestant interpretation of brother and sister in the strict sense makes this Mary the blood sister of Mary the Lord?s Mother and their common parents desperate for names to call their children. On the other hand, if brother and sister in these texts are used as the early Fathers and all Catholics and Orthodox since understand them, then the texts make perfect sense.
John 19:27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
With all those brothers and sisters, why would Jesus entrust Mary to John, contrary to pious Jewish usage and the moral responsibility of her own children to care for her?
3. At the Tomb Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
There is no indication here that Jesus? Mother came to the tomb on Easter morning. Scripture puts the emphasis on Mary Magdalene. How likely is that, if the other Mary is the Lord?s Mother?
4. Early Church Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
Again, why is the reference by St. Jude to being the brother of James, not of the Lord?
God bless you!
GTG..it is important to understand that every "pearl" that flows from the lips or the pen of a representative of the Roman church is not INFALLIBLE ..it is simply the personal interpretation of the speaker/writer ..with no more standing than my opinion .
Think about it ..There were MANY Marys , yes many named James.. and Jude and Judas.. ..so this has little meaning ..as there is not real clarity
Many are of the opinion , that Jesus wanted His mother cared for by John because scripture indicates that His natural 1/2 brothers thought he was crazy and were not among His disciples..
The truth of this is Rome has never made an infallible declaration on just who Jude was.. and so Catholics are free to ponder this along with Protestants ...