June 2024 Mark 3:20-35

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Please read the passage before the homily.

My sisters and brothers,

Jesus had been teaching, healing, and casting out devils.  He then returned to his home, but all was not well.  His activities had caused much concern among his relatives because they thought that they knew him and the Jesus the preacher was far different from Jesus the Home Boy.

The religious principals also had problems with Jesus.  They recognized that he had cast out devils, but they were not ready to admit Jesus any credit for this.  While Jesus’ relatives could think him out of his mind, the official leaders thought of him as someone in league with the devil.  Would anybody understand Jesus?

If Jesus were an undercover agent for Satan, why would Jesus be actively working against Satan?  If Jesus has successfully assaulted Satan, then someone stronger than Satan has arrived on the scene.

To the hometown crowd, this was saying that someone stronger than Satan was here and that the ordinary person in the hometown could master Satan.  This means that we, the average and ordinary people, can defeat Satan.

Our hometown families watched us grow up, but they did not necessarily grow up as we did.  Jesus points out that our real family comes from those who have accepted our growth.

I taught high school students at one time.  Thet were thin, short and quick.  Now they have grandchildren who are thin, short and quick while they themselves are graying, wrinkling and aching.  Am I ready to accept my students as members of my generation?

Whoever has grown to recognize Jesus as God becomes the family of God.