10th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Reading: Mark 3: 20-35
Jesus went home again, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal When his relatives heard of this they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind. The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem were saying, “Beelzebub is in him,” and “It is through the prince of devils that he casts devils out.” So he called them to him and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan?” If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household can never stand. Now if Satan has rebelled against himself and is divided, he cannot stand either – it is the end of him. But no one can make his way into a strong man’s house and burgle his property unless he has tied up the strong man first. Only then can he burgle his house. I tell you solemnly, all men’s sins will be forgiven, and all their blasphemies, but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness, he is guilty of an eternal sin.” This was because they were saying, “An unclean spirit is in him. “His mother and brothers now arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, “Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you. He replies” who are my mother, and my brothers?” and looking round at those sitting in a circle above him he said, “ Here are my mother and my brothers, Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.”
Guidelines
“Convinced he was out of his mind”. How often in family life today are the aspirations and ambitions of young people dismissed because they are not what their elders think is best for them? Pray that parents will walk with their children and always keep the doors of communication open.
“They could not even have a meal”. In our world where there is so much waste. Let us remember those who have no food and no means to provide meals for their families. Give thanks for the volunteers and organisations who work tirelessly in many parts of our world to bring the basic necessities of life to those in need. Let us be generous when appeals are made and remember that when we give we also receive.
“Who are my mother and my brothers?” Let us pray today for families who are estranged. Remember family members who are no longer welcome or recognised because of long standing hurt or disagreement. Pray that they may receive the healing grace of reconciliation so that in this “year of the family ” hurts may be forgiven and family bonds strengthened.