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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Proper 5 YEAr B
Published date 6/2/2021
Introduction
Introduction
Who constitutes the family of God? Starting with the basics: What is a family? There are parents, siblings, children, uncles and aunts, and cousins. But is that it? I've always been charmed by the phrase "my brother from another mother" or "my sister from another mister." In those two phrases we see a much bigger concept—a relative is someone who is "like" you, but not necessarily kin to you. And let's go the step further. Is not the homeless man on the street your brother? Or the single-parent mother your sister? The image (above) makes things pretty clear, doesn't it? So, who is in the family of God? Or, to be shorter, who is not? Jesus is also pretty clear in the Mark gospel: whoever does the will of God is in the family. Notice what he doesn't say. He doesn't say relatives. Or older people. Or younger people. Or children. Or those in my "clique". Or those who look like me. Or . . . Isn't that amazing? And it includes you AND me!
Mark 3:20-35
Mark 3:20-35
. . . A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
From sermon4kids.com: “The Bible tells us that when we trust in Jesus and are united with him in baptism, we all become the children of God. It doesn't matter if you are a boy or a girl. It doesn't matter what color your skin is. When we become a part of the family of God, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. ”
Scripture: June 2, 2024—Track 1: 1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15) (image); Psalm 138 (image); Track 2: Genesis 3:8-15 (image); Psalm 130 (image); 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 (image); and Mark 3:20-35 (image). A visual/audio journey through the scripture.
Collect: O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: As we age, we can see how our physical bodies do indeed suffer the wear and tear of life (“our outer nature is wasting away,” as Paul puts it in 2 Cor. 4:16). Yet Paul says it is possible for our “inner nature” to be renewed every day. In your life, what contributes to your renewal? How are you being prepared “for an eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:16–18)?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 2 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
Symbols of the Church
Symbols of the Church
The Chi Rho (. . . also known as chrismon) is one of the earliest forms of the Christogram (or abbreviation for "Jesus Christ"), formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters—chi and rho (ΧΡ)—of the Greek ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ in such a way that the vertical stroke of the rho intersects the center of the chi.
The Chi-Rho symbol was used by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (r. 306–337 AD) as part of a military standard . . .. Early symbols similar to the Chi Rho were the Staurogram (upper image) and the IX monogram (lower image). . . .
Although formed of Greek characters, the device (or its separate parts) is frequently found serving as an abbreviation in Latin text, with endings added appropriate to a Latin noun, thus XPo, signifying Christo, "to Christ", the dative form of "Christus", or χρ̅icola, signifying Christicola, "Christian", in the Latin lyrics of "Sumer is icumen in".
from "Wikipedia" website.
Click here for a page of symbols described in this publication.
Images enhancing
the scripture
“Kinfolk” by Jan Richardson
cartoon about the gospel
"Jesus of the People" by Janice McKenzie
Music founded
in the scripture
“The family of God“, a praise song (with lyrics)
“The Servant Song“, congregational hymn
“What a friend we have in Jesus“, sung by Alan Jackson, very country, very heartfelt
Other voices
about the scripture
Note: This poem is built upon the King James' translation of Mark 3:20-35.
It used to say, “He is beside himself,”
As if some other person stood nearby;
A twin, perhaps, who also looked the part,
But part one, now, the second part belied.
It turns out too familiar did he seem
For them to see in him the other side,
From which, this bigger family man still calls,
That those who hear, on part two might decide.
~Scott L. Barton
“Offering a wide welcome” by David Lose
“Family Reunion” from Journey to Penuel
Movies representing some part of the scripture
The themes explored this week are “love” and “friendship”
“Almost famous” (2000, R), “seductive nature of temptation, "a coming of age drama", influence of mother and rock music on teenager, Review
“Simon Birch” (1998, PG), “testament to the ardor and resilience of faith”, ". . . knows his destiny . . .", a poignant story suggested by John Irving’s Prayer for Owen Meany (and if you have not read Prayer for Owen Meany, do so now; it will change you!), Review 1, Review 2
“Intouchables” (2011, R), a sorta French “Driving Miss Daisy”, Review
In Genesis 2:19, we read that God created all the animals and brought them before Adam to see what Adam would call them. AND whatever name Adam called them, that was the name. AND Bob Dylan wrote a song called "Man gave names to all the animals." Sing loudly so I can hear you!
For families: Study guide and activities (another guide), group activity, snacks; kid video.
For children: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin, craft;
For middlers: See family guide/activities (another activity); bulletin, craft;
For youth: Take some time to write down all the members in your immediate family, that is, parent(s), siblings. Now take the step to go further and write down the next "layer" of family members, that is uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews. How many do you have so far? Now consider someone about your age who is close to you, does things with you, plays games with you, attends church with you, and so on. Is that person like a sibling? Perhaps even closer than one of your siblings. Add them to your family—how many do you have now? Now think about who Jesus says belongs to the family. Write down those you may have omitted. Think about all of these. Comments to FaithatHome2020@gmail.com.
In today’s Gospel reading, the radical newness of Jesus’ message prompted his family to fear that he was out of his mind and caused his critics to accuse him of serving Satan and using Satan’s power to cast out demons. Jesus reminds them that Satan would certainly never work against himself. He warns against the one sin which is unforgivable, to blaspheme the Holy Spirit; that is, to ascribe the works of God to Satan. Finally, he redefines his family as being all those who do the will of God.
Track I: As we continue the history of the period of the kingdom of David, we hear today the people’s demand to Samuel that they have a king like other people. God through Samuel foretells that the kings will oppress the people, but they still insist. The first king, Saul, is chosen, but he will displease God and be replaced.
Track II: In the first reading, we hear the account of the fall of the human race as the serpent tempts the man and woman to disobey God. Jesus, the descendant of Adam and Eve, reverses that fall and in casting down Satan in his dying and rising, he restores the whole human race, even Adam and Eve, to God.
Our life in Christ is not affected by death. Whether we live or die, Paul tells the Corinthians, we are always with God. The presence of God’s Spirit with us is the guarantee that we already live in eternal life.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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