Scripture commentators today often describe Mark’s gospel, which we’re reading now in our lectionary, as a passion narrative with a prelude.  All of Mark’s gospel  tells the story of passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. His whole gospel proclaims the paschal mystery.  

This week’s readings from Mark’s gospel (2nd Week of the Year) are a good example. On Wednesday the scribes coming from Jerusalem say he has a demon; the Pharisees  begin to plot with the Herodians about putting him to death. The trial that condemned him in Jerusalem has already begun.  (Mark 3:1-6)

On Monday we heard ordinary people who received Jesus so enthusiastically begin to question him. “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” (Mark 2, 18-22) Capernaum and other towns around the Sea of Galilee that once welcomed him turn against him. His rejection by the crowds in Jerusalem has also begun. 

Today’s reading adds another group. His own family, when they hear about him in Nazareth, say, “He’s out of his mind,” and they come to bring him home. His own reject him. Mark deals succinctly with this incident, in three short sentences,  almost as if he doesn’t want to talk about it.

“Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him,  for they said, “He is out of his mind.” (Mark 3:20-21)

So who are the relatives who say he’s out of his mind?

 A few verses later, after the Pharisees say he’s possessed, Mark describes them: “His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, ‘Your mother and your brothers* [and your sisters] are outside asking for you.’ But he said to them in reply, ‘Who are my mother and [my] brothers?’ And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. [For] whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’” (Mark 3: 32-35)

This is the only place in Mark’s gospel where Mary is mentioned besides Mark 6: 3 where Jesus is call “the son of Mary.” It’s the only place we read about this incident in our lectionary. We never read it on Sunday. Is it because it’s considered too difficult for people to understand?

The compilers of our lectionary assigned this gospel to Saturday, traditionally the day associated with the Sorrows of Mary. Luke’s gospel put’s the rejection of Jesus at Nazareth when he announces the beginning of his ministry in its synagogue, an incident headed for violence, but a violence postponed. They’re ready to hurl him from the hill, and no one takes his part. ( Luke 4:16-36 ) The rejection of Jesus by the people of his own town, his own family and relatives was a sword that pierced her heart.

Mary lived there. What was it like for her?  What was it like to be with family members who thought her son was mad? What was it like to be day after day with people who didn’t believe in her son. No one from Nazareth is among the 12 disciples Jesus chooses. 

We might say Mary’s faith was strong and kept her secure, but does faith know everything? Does it save from questioning?

One thing I notice about the Catholic Church were I live is the many prayer groups devoted to Mary, who focus on her apparitions at Lourdes and Fatima, for example, and say the rosary. They are a blessing and a vital part of our church today.

I wonder, however,  if they could benefit from a deeper acquaintance with the scriptures, especially readings like those for today. They could also benefit from a deeper understanding of the liturgy that year by year, day by day, brings us into the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

The scriptures and the liturgy bring us also a deeper understanding of Mary, his mother.