Word to the Wise
Saturday, January 23, 2010 - Saturday in the Second Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27 and Mark 3:20-21]Jesus came with his disciples into the house. 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." [Mark]
In the Middle East, an individual realizes his or her identity not as individual but as member of a tribe-clan-family constellation. To be cast out of that constellation would be the moral and sometimes physical equivalent of death. We Westerners see "belonging" as one option among others, even if we were "born" to a particular family! Kinship does not have the same binding social force for us. It is important to bear this in mind as we note today's gospel scripture (which is short enough for me to quote the whole thing!). The opposition of the scribes and Pharisees has already been noted by the evangelist. Now the opposition of Jesus' own family is noted. They set out to "seize him, for they said, 'He is out of his mind.'" (Even his mother thought so!) Several verses later, the outcome of their unsuccessful effort (for which lack of success Christianity should be grateful!) is revealed along with the whole point of this passage. Jesus is rejected by his family and his race and his religion! He declares that physical or racial or religious ties are not what make someone a member of his new "family." "'Who are my mother and 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.'" Those who place great emphasis on denominational or dogmatic identity and conformity should take note of that statement! Jesus created a new family reality. How have our subsequent efforts over the centuries and in the present time reflected his criteria for membership? AMEN