A reading from the gospel according to Mark 3:20-21:

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

Reflection: Crazy for service

Just how busy Jesus and His disciples were? They don’t even have time to eat or rest. Crowds always followed them even at night. There were just too many people who needed help or who were hungry for teaching. His relatives heard what was happening and they worried perhaps about His health. So they tried to seize Him. They thought His work or behavior was tantamount to madness.

On the other hand, we can say the people were inconsiderate. Why can’t they give time to Jesus and His disciples to eat and have a rest? Just like some insistent individuals today. They expect too much from their priests or pastors. They thought they owned the priest or the pastor to the point that at any given time, they could demand their attention. A little consideration is needed. Priests and pastors are not robots. They too can be exhausted and they also need time for their personal needs.

What is striking in this gospel reading is the devotion of Jesus to serve the people. He was too “crazy” about helping, healing and teaching them. Despite His busy schedule, he does not mind working overtime. Yet, we read in other accounts that He never neglected His prayer time. He often escaped in the morning to pray alone in the mountains (Luke 5:16, Mark 1:35). There is a great lesson to be learned here. We need to get strength through prayer to face another busy day.

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The short gospel passage reminds us that even the most transformative souls face doubt, even from those closest. But within this tension lies a profound truth: sometimes, staying true to your calling means defying expectations, venturing beyond the well-worn paths. It means embracing the “madness” of compassion, the audacity of hope, the unyielding pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.

Let us look at Jesus. As a revolutionary rabbi, He is surrounded by throngs so eager for his message they deny him basic rest. Even at home, the crowd presses, hungry for the words that heal and liberate. But amidst this whirlwind, whispers rise – murmurs from friends, even family, questioning his sanity. “He is out of his mind,” they say, unable to grasp the fire ablaze within Him.

That is why as workers in the vineyard of Christ, let us always remember the many people out there who are yearning for light. Even when we hear whispers of doubt, let us allow the fire within to burn, guiding us towards a world healed, a humanity united. Let us never let the echoes of fear to extinguish our flame. Let them instead fuel our resolve, reminding us that true change often begins with a whisper, deemed “mad” until it ignites a revolution.

So, let us step into the chaos, unafraid. Embrace the murmurs, the raised eyebrows, the puzzled glances. They are whispers in the face of a storm we are destined to unleash. Let our passion be your compass, our conviction to be our shield. Let us always be reminded that Jesus was not called mad because He was lost, but because He dared to illuminate a path unseen.

Let the light of Jesus allow us to embrace the “madness” of our dreams and the audacity of our purpose. For in the eyes of those who truly see, it is not insanity that burns within us, but the unwavering brilliance of a soul destined to set the world ablaze.

Inspired by Jesus therefore, let us go forth as dreamers, changemakers, and healers. The world awaits our unique spark. Let it blaze with the fire of conviction, fueled by the whispers of doubt, forever illuminating a world darkened by sin and anxiety.