RBWords

     The Gospel of Mark intends to show that Jesus was misunderstood  by even those who were related to him!  His family intended to do what we might call today an "intervention."  A little later on, they arrive [including his mother] and ask to see Jesus, and he replies to them all that his family are those who hear the word of God and keep it!  

     Matters of faith can divide families deeply.  In my years as a campus minister, I had to counsel both distraught parents and distraught students, depending on the circumstances, when choices about faith conflicted with one another.  As a retreat director for Permanent Deacons and spouses in more recent years, I have heard many stories of sorrow about the religious choices of their children, ranging from no religion to extreme fundamentalism.  My usual response is to ask the Deacon and wife not to lose touch and to continue to love even if they disagree with their offspring and worry about their grandchildren.  Breaking off communication or "disowning" simply deepens the problem.

     Jesus' family was no doubt concerned for him but also for their own standing in a community where "honor" is a very high value.  His preaching and the crowds could attract unfavorable attention from the Romans or the Herodians as well as cause suspicion in the village.  But their attempt to intervene did not succeed, and I doubt in a matter of faith that intervention is ever a good idea.   Consistent love works far better than condemnation.  We have Jesus' own example, and we also have Pope Francis' recent preaching to inspire us.  I think St. Francis de Sales, the saint for today would also agree!  AMEN