Reflection: Mark 3:20-21

Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time – Mark 3:20-21

Today’s Gospel is very short - only two verses.  However, they are verses that immediately get our attention.  Mark writes: “Jesus was with his disciples and he went into the house.”  Once again the crowd immediately followed him.  The people surrounded Jesus so completely that it was impossible for him to eat.  Somehow, Jesus’ relatives received word of what was happening and they set out to seize him.  They said, “He is out of his mind.”

I wonder how Jesus responded to his relatives’ belief that he was “out of his mind.”  Was Jesus initially angry or disappointed with his family’s behavior?  Did his relatives not trust him?  Did they not support his ministry?  Were they going to try to convince him to come home?  How could Jesus leave his disciples and ministry?

Have you ever been in a situation when a family member did not approve of what you were doing?  I would guess most all of us have had this experience.  This often is true when we are young and ambitious.  When we are young and idealistic, we may believe that we can conquer the world.  Perhaps this was the concern that Jesus’ family members had for him.  They did not want him to be disappointed with himself and his efforts.

Little did his relatives know that Jesus would change the world, not just for the people of his day, but also for people throughout the centuries.  Imagine how our world would be different if Jesus had not followed his call.  I suspect that our world would have even more challenges than it does today.

Jesus brought good news to our world.  In today’s world, we need all the good news we can get.  How do we bring good news to our world?  In might be through the work we do or through our efforts to keep a positive and loving attitude despite the horrific news we hear about.  The good news is that Jesus loves us and is with us.  Today may we strive to bring good news to each and every person we encounter.  May we also notice the individuals who bring us good news and thank God for their presence in our lives.