In the Gospel today we hear that Jesus made a visit home. Word about this radical Teacher had gotten around and the religious leaders are not happy. In an effort to protect their son and brother, Jesus’ family try to restrain Him in order to protect Him. The people who have gathered try to dismiss Jesus’ teachings saying that he has ‘gone out of his mind’. The religious leaders even go so far as to say that He is possessed by a demon! Perhaps their way of explaining away someone that they could not cope with. Who in our society today is explained away? Who do we wish would stop speaking out because it makes us uncomfortable? Who do we know who is speaking the truth and yet is dismissed by those in authority? Who tries to silence others?
One of the criticisms of Christians today is that we are not
Christ-like or we are no longer challenged by the Gospel message. Sometimes it
is easier to ‘keep your head down’. But Jesus knows that in order to bring
change, to work for God’s Kingdom of love and justice and peace, this involves
sticking your head above the parapet, whether that be in our communities, our
families or in our church.
“I began to wonder if
anyone still believed Jesus meant those things He said. I thought if we just
stopped and asked ‘what if He really meant it?’ it could turn the world upside
down. It is a shame Christians have become so normal.” (Shane Claiborne, The Irresistible Revolution)
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