Jesus came home with his disciples. Again the crowd gathered, making it
impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out
to seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." The scribes who
had come from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and
"By the prince of demons he drives out demons."
Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, "How can
Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom
cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be
able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he
cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man's house
to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can
plunder the house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people
utter will be forgiven 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."
His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to
him 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."
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
Do you
want to be a relative of Jesus? If your answer is yes, then Jesus has a
requirement for you. And this is His requirement: You have to do the will of
God. (Mark 3:35) If you may ask: What is the will of God for me? You have to
follow the Servanthood life of Jesus.
Life of
Servanthood which is perhaps outdated already for many of the modern people of
this technology driven world today. The modern people of today generally
subscribe to a life of modernity which
is to have what this modern world offers us.
For
example, to have the newest gadget available which actually boils down to
self-centeredness and the me first mindset. Therefore the life of Servanthood
of Jesus is eased out for a self-centeredness life.
At the
start of today’s gospel we read about Jesus living His Servanthood lifestyle.
He is just through His healing ministry that’s why many were still following
Him to have His healing. And by not focusing anymore on Himself Jesus was
labeled as someone who is out of His mind by His relatives who was trying to
control Him.
However Jesus’ relatives did not understand His Servanthood
lifestyle. Perhaps they were also eaten up already by the self-centered
lifestyle or the me first mindset: My comfort first, my needs and wants first.
If we
really want to follow Jesus we have to embrace His Servanthood mindset,
lifestyle and way of life. We have to prioritize first the welfare of our
fellowmen before our own. And if we do so we are now eligible to be called a true
relative of Jesus.
Do you
want to become a true relative of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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