Mark 3:20-21

Mark 3:20-21

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.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Come to dwell in my house today. Sanctify me with your Spirit and teach me by your Word.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Three Moral Lessons from the Gospel: Although today’s Gospel is short, it contains profound truths about Jesus and our moral lives. First, we see that Jesus lived with his disciples. He made Peter’s house in Capernaum his home for almost three years. And this means that Jesus wants to dwell with us, in our homes and in our families. He wants to be near us and get involved in all the nitty-gritty of everyday life. Second, we see Jesus and his disciples overwhelmed by their mission. Because of the crowds, it was impossible for them even to eat. This too is a common experience. We can be consumed by our work or even by the mission to serve others in the Church. Third, we see that Jesus was misunderstood. Instead of judging that Jesus was giving of himself fully and doing good, his relatives misjudged him as being “out of his mind.” All three things are part and parcel of our everyday experience. First, Jesus chooses to be with us in the ordinary, and we need to let him in. Second, Jesus experienced how life can be overwhelming and knows how to comfort and guide us. Third, like Jesus, we will be misunderstood and misjudged, even when we seek to do good.

2. Introduction to the Devout Life: Introduction to the Devout Life, written in 1609, was the most famous work of Saint Francis de Sales. It was written to laypeople and was compiled from letters to his cousins about seeking piety and devotion amid worldly distractions. It passionately affirms that holiness is accessible to everyone – regardless of vocation, state in life, or temperament. Holiness does not require a radical withdrawal from the world. And it is an error to think that holiness is for monks and cloistered religious or clerics. Structured in five parts, the book guides the soul step by step. First, the soul must be purified from sin and have a firm resolution for devotion through meditation and a spiritual guide. It then emphasizes mental prayer and meditation, the Sacraments, and frequent Communion. This is followed by practical counsel on cultivating a life of virtue – humility, patience, meekness, chastity, and obedience. It gives advice on confronting common temptations with gentleness and trust in God’s grace. With gentle optimism, vivid images, and compassionate encouragement, Saint Francis de Sales portrays devotion as the perfection of charity – a sweet, joyful love of God that makes ordinary life beautiful and prompts diligent good works. It offers a balanced, realistic path to union with God for all who live “in the world.”

3. Quotes from Introduction to the Devout Life: Here are some famous quotes from de Sales’ Introduction to the Devout Life. On the nature of true devotion, he writes: “All true and living devotion presupposes the love of God; and indeed it is neither more nor less than a very real love of God... but when it attains its fullest perfection... then it is called Devotion.” “Devotion is the real spiritual sweetness which takes away all bitterness from mortifications... it accepts gladness and sadness with an even mind, and fills men’s hearts with a wondrous sweetness... devotion is the sweetest of sweets, the queen of virtues, the perfection of love.” True devotion, he writes, is for everyone: “It is an error, or rather a heresy, to wish to banish the devout life from the regiment of soldiers, the mechanic's shop, the court of princes, or the home of married people... Wherever we may be, we can and should aspire to the perfect life.”

On false vs. true devotion, he writes: “One man sets great value on fasting, and believes himself to be leading a very devout life, so long as he fasts rigorously, although the while his heart is full of bitterness;–and while he will not moisten his lips with wine... he does not scruple to steep them in his neighbor’s blood, through slander and detraction.” “If, when stung by slander or ill-nature, we wax proud and swell with anger, it is a proof that our gentleness and humility are unreal, and mere artificial show.” On practicing virtue, he writes: “This is the real fruit of meditation... to dwell upon virtues without practicing them lends to puff us up with unrealities... strive when your meditation is ended to retain the thoughts and resolutions you have made as your earnest practice throughout the day.” On prayer, he writes: “Prayer opens the understanding to the brightness of divine light, and the will to the warmth of heavenly love—nothing can so effectually purify the mind from its many ignorances, or the will from its perverse affections. On the importance of being yourself, he writes: “Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.”

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, your servant Paul gave his entire life to spread the message of the New Covenant. Help me to do the same and spread the message of the Gospel in my family and my community.

Living the Word of God: Which of the quotes from de Sales’ Introduction to the Devout Life speaks to me the most? Do I see how I can be holy and devout in my state of life?