10TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

10TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

INTRODUCTION:

There are many fights and wars among both people and nations. What are they fighting for? Some say it’s because of enmity between the rich and the poor, between different race groups and the strong and the weak. Why can people not live like brothers and sisters? The situation seems to be hopeless. In our celebration today we hear the real reason behind all the troubles in the world. It is our rebellion against God’s plan. It is the evil spirit in us whom we allow to rule our hearts. There is no reason for despair. Jesus has overpowered the evil spirits. He showed us we can live like brothers and sisters.

GOSPEL: MARK3: 20-35

Jesus came home with his disciples. 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.” The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder the house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.” 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.”

REFLECTION BY BR CEBO

Who are my mother and my brothers?

Jesus challenges the conventional understanding of family, emphasizing that true kinship is based on following God’s will. As Christians, we are all members of Christ’s family which is the Church. Just as our biological families care for us, our Church family supports and loves us, connecting us in a special way to God and one another.
Hence, Jesus speaks the two great commandments of love:

• by quoting Deuteronomy 6:4-5, He says that the first commandment is: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength,” and;
• by quoting Leviticus 19:18, He says that the second commandment is: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” [Thanda umakhelwane wakho njengoba uzithanda].

Disability Parking

Please be mindful of the designated parking for persons with disabilities. Even if you are late for Mass, please leave the spaces FREE for persons with genuine disabilities

POPE’S PRAYER INTENTION FOR JUNE

For migrants fleeing their homes:

We pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys full of danger and violence, find welcome and new opportunities in the countries that receive

SICK & ELDERLY

Please pray for the sick & elderly of the parish, family & friends especially:

Nokuthula Kubheka, Penny Powell, Jean Smith, Dolly Bimbrish, Alvin Govender, Siva Naidoo, Mavis Makhubo, Norman Browne, Anabela De Pontes, Benvinda Da Costa, Marjorie Govender, Pier Turconi, Khohli Kunene, Barbara Amod and Fr Andrew Moyo.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY…

…while Fr Marek is away, please contact the parish secretary, Nokwazi or the PPC chairperson, Nonhlanhla (083 697 2128).