The Family of Christ

OK, I had a vague understanding that Jesus Christ had blood siblings -- although I knew my Catholic mother-in-law finds the notion abhorent.

So I did some research. To Catholics, the idea of Mary having other children flies in the face of their belief in the perpetual virginity of Mary. I'd have to spend a whole lot more energy than I have trying to understand why perpetual virginity has any theological significance. (If any Catholic person would like to explain it to me, please drop a note to me at virginmary@writerspost.com.)

Y'enyway, the scriptures say the Mary had four sons in addition to Jesus Christ, as well as multiple daughters:

Matt. 12: 46 (Mark 3: 31; Luke 8: 19)
his mother and his brethren stood without.

Matt. 13: 55
is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas.

Mark 6:3
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.