REFLECTIONS TODAY
The scribes are so biased against Jesus that they attribute his power to drive out demons to his being in league with Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Jesus’ own family does not look kindly on some of his actuations, thinking that he is out of his mind. The “they” who say that Jesus has gone “mad” is not specified: they can either be people who are biased against Jesus or his family members themselves. Jesus’ choices are dictated by his obedience to his heavenly Father; they do not depend on what people think or say.
Doing the will of the Father is his main purpose and mission. This, too, is the criterion for those who wish to follow him, to be his disciples, to be part of his family. Looking at his disciples, Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother” (v 35).
Have people commented that you are “mad” for making choices according to your deep conviction? Or are you too dependent on what people or family members will say or how they will react?
Gospel • Mark 3:31-35
The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024.” E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.