Mark 3:20-21 NRSVue
20Then he went home, and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. 21When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.”
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Reflection on Mark 3:20-21
Inspiration from 2026-01-24 Daily Prayer
Today’s passage immediately precedes an account of how the family of Jesus came to one of his gatherings. There, they tried to distract him and prevent his teaching session, probably hoping to preserve their own reputation. Jesus had come to bring hope and the boundless goodness of God into people’s lives. For that to happen, a certain degree of openness on the part of the onlookers was required. Without that sincerity, growth in body, mind and spirit was unlikely to occur.
Further reflection
Those who knew Jesus well seemed to be surprised by how he lived and acted. I pray for the freedom that I need not to be hemmed in by my habits or by the expectations of others.
To live freely is to challenge those who accept constraints. I pray for the courage that I may need to let myself be led more by the spirit of God.
/They said: ‘He is out of his mind.’/ There was a melée round Jesus that embarrassed his relatives. They felt he was making a show of them, and wanted to take control of him.
Lord, there have been times in my life when I felt I was causing my relatives embarrassment, disapproval or concern. I did not enjoy the experience; it confused or even infuriated me. You have been there before me
The family didn’t like what was happening to Jesus. The large group of cousins and extended family who were his family circle seem to have been embarrassed by him. He was breaking out of convention, both religious and cultural. Maybe they felt they were in danger or under suspicion because of him. People ,like Jesus who dare to be different cause suspicion, embarrassment and general unease with others close to them. This split of Jesus and his family would widen until after his death. His mother Mary seems to have understood and stood by him. In prayer allow times you may have found something similar when you were different from others by what you stood for and be grateful; or be grateful for others whom you have met who dared to make a difference for the good in the lives of others.