Hi everyone. Welcome back to the Logical Bible Study podcast. We're taking a look at the gospel

reading from today's Mass and then having a look at the literal sense of the text, the church tells us we

always have to start with what the author was trying to convey to his original audience.

Today we're going to be looking at Mark Chapter 3, but before we do that, I think this is one

of those ones where it's actually worth going back to a previous passage and just looking at

that before we jump into today's

passage because it will make a lot more sense that way. So let's go back to verse 21. In verse 21

of Mark chapter 3, so it's about 10 verses earlier. Jesus relatives in Nazareth hear about Jesus. So Jesus is doing ministry in Copernum,

and his relatives, his mother and his other relatives, who will explore shortly, are in Nazareth.

So the word gets around to them about what Jesus is doing and people are bringing them this report so

Mary and his relatives are hearing this report that Jesus is out of his mind so that helps with

the context now think about family obligations in that culture so family ties were really strong

any action by an individual we're seen as a reflection on the whole family

and any breach of family honour would result in severe discipline. You did not want one of your

members of your family bringing shame on the family. So from the perspective of Mary and the other

relatives of Jesus, really, Jesus should be back in Nazareth being a carpenter

rather than doing this crazy tour, attracting crowds, and arousing the anger of the authorities.

Think about it. If Jesus is making the authorities in Jerusalem angry, which we know he is,

that's not going to reflect well on his family. So they're concerned for him and they're concerned for their own welfare.

From what they can understand, this miracle working he's supposedly doing,

is possibly just evidence of mental imbalance.

Remember, they've seen him grow up for 30 years, just being a carpenter,

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