Word to the Wise
Saturday, January 20, 2007 - Second Saturday in Ordinary Time
[Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14 and Mark 3:20-21]When his [Jesus'] relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind!"
Every family has a member(s) whose very name evokes the rolling of eyes or the changing of subjects! In the Middle East, where family, clan and tribal honor are supreme values, an embarrassing relative is a cause of great concern. The honor of the family is at stake! Jesus is taking on the "establishment" and people are talking! The family comes to "take him away!" Jesus himself places allegiance on a different level than that which Middle Eastern folks (or anyone else for that matter) would prefer. He says that whoever does the will of God is father, mother, sister or brother to him! Now that raises the ante considerably! It also places a responsibility on us. Do we want to be "kin" to Jesus? Will this kinship make US objects of "eye rolling" or "changing of subject?" I've mentioned earlier that the Gospel of Mark has the tendency to draw a "line in the sand" and we find ourselves having to make tough choices (at least from our point of view). I've known a number of folks who braved family displeasure in a matter of religious choice. What is your experience in this? AMEN