This past week our daily scripture readings continue on the previous week’s theme of the arrival of a “time of fulfillment” – the dawn of a new era for humanity with the coming of Christ into our world. And we hear that Jesus is certainly changing it up, leaving many pondering his meanings, and many more questioning his sanity.
On Monday we heard people questioning Jesus on his seeming disobedience to the long standing fasting laws (Mark 2:18-20). On Tuesday we heard Jesus being challenged for allowing work on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23-28). On Wednesday we heard the religious leaders’ disapproval of Jesus healing on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6). In all of this we see Jesus introducing a new way – one based not so much on the letter of the law but rather on the spirit of the law – a new mindset where love and compassion are at the forefront. This is a mindset that informs our actions and compels us to form relationships founded on care and concern for others – a solidarity that springs from the very covenant God establishes with us through Jesus.
On Thursday (Mark 3:7-12) we heard that Jesus withdraws a bit from all the clamor most likely for some quiet reflection and prayer in order to reinforce himself for all the challenges that were yet to come. Yesterday we heard Jesus call the first disciples who would continue his mission and face similar challenges (Mark 3:13-19). To close the week, today we hear that many in the crowds who had been listening to Jesus and observing his actions come to believe that Jesus is “out of his mind” (Mark 3:20-21).
Yes, change is hard. And for the people of Jesus’ time, it might have been hard to understand where Jesus was coming from. Thankfully we are the beneficiaries of two thousand years of guidance and revelation from God’s Spirit including the teachings of many Spirit-filled holy men and women, and the well-formulated doctrines of our Church. We are blessed to be beneficiaries of God’s revelation through Christ and His Church. God helps us to understand this new covenant and the newness of life that Jesus speaks of. With Jesus as our model and with his Spirit as our guide and strength, we go out and try our hardest to live this new covenant of love every day. To not do so, we would be “out of our minds”.