In today’s gospel, Mark acknowledges that Jesus’s own family had questions about his mental health. Today’s reflection reminds us that speaking against the accepted evils of our day can seem crazy to some, but if we seek to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, it is just this type of crazy courage that can be required.

June 9, 2024: Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Genesis 3:9-15
Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1
Mark 3:20-35                                                              

Who is the Crazy One?

It seems to me that this Sunday’s readings in the Lectionary have quite a bit of unconnected overload. The Responsorial Psalm, although it is beautiful, also seems to be unconnected with the themes of the other readings. With this in mind, I will only comment on the gospel.

In this story, Jesus has just returned from a time of withdrawal near the Sea of Galilee. It will be the second of three trips near body of water in Mark’s gospel. It is also referred to as Lake Tiberias and Lake Gennesaret. Jesus’ first time near this body of water followed the charge of blasphemy (2:13-14). The second trip was undertaken in the wake of a plot to kill him (3:6).

After the scene in today’s gospel, Jesus will head to the shores of the Sea of Galilee for a third and final trip. Thus, today’s gospel – a climatic confrontation between Jesus and opposition forces in which the charge of blasphemy resurfaces – is surrounded by trips to the sea. Here, Mark has Jesus entering a house and being so overwhelmed by the crowd that they were unable to eat. Next, his relatives are reported to be on the way to seize Jesus because they consider him mentally deranged, “He is out of his mind” (3:21). Marie Noonan Sabin in her commentary on Mark expands on this: “The Greek word that is translated ‘out of his mind’ literally means ‘out of himself,’ it is related to the Greek word for ‘ecstasy.’ By using it, Mark suggests that Jesus has a more heightened consciousness than those around him.”

While the relatives are on the way to the house, the scribal authorities from Jerusalem appear again and reinforce the charge made by the family. Jesus is possessed by the devil (3:22). Jesus dissociates himself from the scribes and their allies in the strongest terms possible (3:23-27) and returns their earlier charge of blasphemy: “Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgotten them. But whoever blasphemes against the holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin. For they had said, ‘He has an unclean spirit’ (3:28-30). Here, Jesus indicates that labeling as evil that which one knows to be sacred is the worst kind of blasphemy.

In Mark’s rapid-fire account, the crowd lets Jesus know his family has arrived and are asking for him. To which Jesus replies, “‘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’” (3:33-35). Sabin notes that this statement does not diminish blood relatives but identifies that which is essential to kinship with Jesus: doing God’s will.

Several quotes in this Gospel capture me: “He is out of his mind.” I see this is a way to dismiss someone. What phrases have you heard (or said) that are meant to dismiss someone so as not to grapple with what they are saying? The LGBTQIA+ community has endured this tactic for generations!

I am also captivated by "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "By the prince of demons … he casts out demons.” It reminds me of Flip Wilson, a comedian popular in the 1960s and 70s. He had a character, Geraldine Jones, who would do or say something mean and excuse herself by saying, "The devil made me do it.” It became a national catchphrase for a time!

Although I am not sure that evil has the power to make us do anything, in the present political scene, I think it is critical that we acknowledge the presence of evil when we see it. “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand” (3:25). I hear that “division” these days as a choice for democracy or dictatorship, and I believe that the threat of dictatorship is an evil that our country must confront. This question is not about winning or losing an election but rather about the freedom one has to speak from and live in their truth without being pushed to the margins.

These are some of my thoughts on this Gospel, what are yours?

As a Catholic priest for 48 years David Jackson preached on most Sundays. Binding the Strongman: A Political Reading of Mark's Story by Ched Myers has been his go to for Cycle B, Mark. His love of Scripture led him to pursue an M.A. from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. For the past 16 years, he has sent out homily reflections to friends. For the last two years these reflections have also been available on Roman Catholic Women Priests Canada's bimonthly newsletter. Since he discovered Catholic Women Preach, that web site is part of his weekly preparation. At 82 years of age, he has been married for the last ten years to the love of his life, Alva. In March he published his first book, Jesus Gardens Me, available on Amazon.