St. Mark begins the gospel reporting on the large crowds that followed Jesus. He was not, however, universally admired. Almost from the beginning of his ministry the “Pharisees and Herodians” were conspiring against him. Even his family, those who would seemingly have been closest to him, were not fans. His relatives said, “He is out of his mind.” Jesus was not a celebrity, someone seeking recognition and adulation. He was a man on a mission that some responded to and others rejected. That serves to remind us that there will be times when the gospel makes demands on us that will cause our relatives to question us. Speaking against the death penalty, welcoming the stranger, forgiving enemies, giving alms are all required by the gospel.
