Mark 3:20-35
Lead in: In Mark 3:20, we find Jesus in the early part of his ministry, but he was already widely known. So when word got out that Jesus had come back to his hometown, a huge crowd
gathered pressing in on him. So much so that he didn’t even have time to eat. Like Jesus, we too can find ourselves so busy that we don’t take care of ourselves, sometimes not taking time even to eat.
Prompt: Was there a time when you kept a frantic pace that led to burn out?
Lead in: In coming back to his hometown, some who knew Jesus were now questioning his sanity. Meanwhile, the scholars of the law who had come in from Jerusalem were claiming Jesus to be in league with the devil. Both groups were threatened by Jesus and so were writing him off as a lunatic.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when you were unfairly misunderstood. How was that for you and how did you deal with that?
Lead in: In Mark 3, we hear “whoever blasphemies against the Holy Spirit will never have
forgiveness but is guilty of everlasting sin.” If God is an all -forgiving God, how are we to understand that verse? God has given us a free will. Because of that, God can’t force His forgiveness on us any more than God can force His love on us. Yet, if we choose, we can refuse God’s forgiveness in the same way we can refuse God’s love. For this reason, the sin against the Holy Spirit is referred to as “the unforgivable sin.” There is no forgiveness precisely because one’s hardened heart refuses the forgiveness that is there. The hope is that as one stands before God, either at the end of their life or at some point during their life, that like the good thief on the cross, they will open their hearts to the forgiveness that they had previously refused.
Prompt: Was there ever a time when you were so hurt that you were tempted to get back at God by refusing the very love and forgiveness that could open the way to healing?
Lead in: Genesis 3 is a highly symbolic account of the origins and effects of sin. A telling effect of sin is Adam’s refusal to take responsibility for his actions. He’s quick to pass the buck. He blames his eating the apple on Eve and God. Eve then turns around and blames the serpent.
Prompt: Where do you see people refusing to take responsibility for their actions?
Prompt: When is it that you are most inclined to pass the buck and not take responsibility for your actions?
