Scripture: I Samuel 1:1-4; 11-12.19.23-27. Psalm 80:2-3; 5-7. Mark
3:20-21. Lectionary # 316:

Is Mark anti-marian? This question arises with many who read the text of
Mark 3:20-21. Naturally within the family of Jesus one would include Mary.
But would she really be convinced as the text says, "He is out of his mind?
(Mark 3:21). Not one of the members of the family, however, are actually
named. Mark is showing different strands of opposition to Jesus and he
starts with the family and then moves to the scribes who say Jesus is
possessed, hence, a stronger form of "being out of one's mind." We do know
that the family is also the concluding theme in the last verses of this
chapter (3:31-35) but it is also seen as a conclusion dealing with the
theme of discipleship as Jesus sees it and how he looks on "family." Jesus
was known in this Gospel as a carpenter; Joseph whom we know from Matthew,
Luke and John is his legal father who has adopted him and given him the
davidic lineage. Jesus thus could fit the demands or expectations placed
upon one who would be the messiah. Mark never has anyone except God as the
father of Jesus. And it is Mark who has the honor of giving us the name of
Jesus for the first time and of identifying Jesus through his mother. He
calls Jesus the "son of Mary" in chapter six verse three. Chapter three
has begun the description of those who opposed Jesus or thought differently
about why, how, and what he was doing with his preaching, teaching, and
healing. From the family point of view he should be keeping up the trade
of carpenter. From the point of view of the scribes he is definitely doing
these things under the influence of the devil! We do have to study and
reflect upon the techniques that Mark uses in his Gospel and here the
passage about the family starts the scene and the saying that Jesus has
about family closes it. This is called inclusion by the scholars and is
similar to "bookends" on a theme within the chapter. How do Christians
handle such texts? Certainly with difficulty and dependence both on their
choice of interpreters as well as through the traditions that they have;
even the devotion or non-devotion they have toward the family of Jesus and
in particular toward his mother Mary influences them. The conclusion of
the ecumencal team of scholars who wrote the book "Mary in the New
Testament" suggested that each Christian dispensation or church remain
within the beliefs of their church. Certainly we all should have a spirit
of understanding with those who do not share the same belief or who may not
have a devotion to Mary. We also see that the theme of discipleship is
primordial with Mark and the conclusion of this chapter is more about the
eschatological family of Jesus and not so much about who is his blood
mother of Jesus or whether he has blood brothers and sisters. Amen.