June 10 // 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I: Genesis 3:9-15
Responsorial Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Reading II: 2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1
Gospel: Mark 3:20-35

Today’s Gospel is not easy to hear. Jesus, according to Mark, has just appointed the Twelve, whom he will send out to proclaim the good news, and now they have returned to their home area.   

But Jesus’ own family seems to think that he has gone crazy, and scribes (or lawyers) from Jerusalem accuse him of being possessed by an evil spirit.   

Jesus replies, rather logically, that evil cannot get rid of evil. But he adds that there is one unforgivable sin—blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.   

Finally, he appears to reject his own mother and brothers, declaring that his true family are those who do God’s will. 

So how can we say, “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ” to all of this? 

Evidently, Jesus’ ministry and teaching were quite different from what had gone before, and his family and fellow townspeople were confused and concerned. And yes, there was some hostility, and not just from the Jerusalem scribes. Perhaps, as the Lector Workbook suggests, his family wanted to protect him.   

Most of us will agree with Jesus’ rhetorical question, “How can Satan drive out Satan?”  But what about that unforgiveable sin against the Holy Spirit? Catholic teaching states that it is the deliberate refusal to accept God’s mercy and forgiveness. It is our choice, for God has given us free will.   

And Jesus did not reject his family. He expanded it by declaring that “whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother”.   

Isn’t that really good news for all of us?