Pope Francis: Jesus Stands Up to Misunderstandings
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Pope Francis: Jesus Stands Up to Misunderstandings
‘To bad-mouth others, to destroy the reputation of others makes us the devil’s family.’
JUNE 10, 2018
Pope Francis spoke June 10, 2018, of the strength and clarity Jesus used in standing up to two types of misunderstanding, which sprung from the scribes and the Savior’s own family members.
The Holy Father’s comments came before praying the noonday Angelus with an estimated crowd of 20,000 pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square.
“To bad-mouth others, to destroy the reputation of others, makes us the devil’s family,” proclaimed the Pope.” But Jesus faced much bad-mouthing.
“The first misunderstanding: the scribes were men instructed in the Holy Scriptures and in charge of explaining it to the people,” the Pope said. “Some of them were sent from Jerusalem to Galilee, where Jesus’ fame was beginning to spread, to discredit Him in the eyes of the people, to engage in the office of gossipers, discredit the other, take away His authority — such an awful thing.”
The Holy Father explained that they tried to discredit Jesus by claiming his ability was from the Beelzebul – that he was possessed and that was why he could cast out demons. They didn’t want the people to believe that Jesus could heal the sick, so they claimed it was demonic power at work.
“Jesus reacts with strong and clear words; He doesn’t tolerate this, because those scribes, perhaps without realizing it, were falling into the gravest sin: to deny and blaspheme the Love of God, which is present and works in Jesus,” the Pope said. “And blasphemy, the sin against the Holy Spirit, is the only unforgivable sin — so says Jesus –, because it stems from the closure of the heart to God’s mercy, which acts in Jesus.”
But which the scribes misunderstanding may have revealed their envy, Jesus faced another misunderstanding from his family members. They feared he suffered from madness.
“Today’s Gospel speaks to us also of another misunderstanding, very different, in Jesus’ relations: that of His relatives,” Francis explained. “They were concerned because His new itinerant life seemed madness to them (Cf. v. 21).
“In fact, He showed Himself so available to people, especially the sick and sinners, to the point of not even having time to eat. Jesus was like that: first, the people, serve the people, help the people, teach the people and cure the people.”
The Pope recalled how Jesus, in the Gospel, told the people that everyone who follows God’s will is his brothers and sisters. The Holy Father concludes by reminding those listening that this doesn’t diminish Christ’s earthly family, but allows all who accept his word to become part of the family.
This Sunday’s Gospel (Cf. Mark 3:20-35) shows us two sorts of misunderstandings that Jesus had to address: that of the scribes and that of His own relatives. The first misunderstanding: the scribes were men instructed in the Holy Scriptures and in charge of explaining it to the people. Some of them were sent from Jerusalem to Galilee, where Jesus’ fame was beginning to spread, to discredit Him in the eyes of the people, to engage in the office of gossipers, discredit the other, take away His authority — such an awful thing. And they were sent to do this. And these scribes arrived with a specific and terrible accusation – they spare no means, go to the center and say thus: “He is possessed by Beelzebul, and by the prince of demons He casts out the demons” (v. 22). That is, the head of the demons is the one that drives Him, which is as though saying, more or less, “He is possessed.” In fact, Jesus was healing many sick people, and the scribes wanted to make them believe that He did so, not with the Spirit of God — as Jesus did –, but with that of the Evil One, with the strength of the devil.
Jesus reacts with strong and clear words; He doesn’t tolerate this, because those scribes, perhaps without realizing it, were falling into the gravest sin: to deny and blaspheme the Love of God, which is present and works in Jesus. And blasphemy, the sin against the Holy Spirit, is the only unforgivable sin — so says Jesus –, because it stems from the closure of the heart to God’s mercy, which acts in Jesus.
However, this episode contains an admonition that is useful for all of us. In fact, it can happen that intense envy of the goodness and good works of a person can push one to accuse them falsely. There is a mortal poison here: the malice with which, in a premeditated way, one wishes to destroy another’s good reputation. May God free us from this terrible temptation! And if on examining our conscience, we realize that this evil weed is germinating within us, we must go immediately to confess it in the Sacrament of Penance, before it develops and produces its evil effects, which are incurable. Pay attention, because this attitude destroys families, friendships, communities and even society.
Today’s Gospel speaks to us also of another misunderstanding, very different, in Jesus’ relations: that of His relatives. They were concerned because His new itinerant life seemed madness to them (Cf. v. 21). In fact, He showed Himself so available to people, especially the sick and sinners, to the point of not even having time to eat. Jesus was like that: first the people, serve the people, help the people, teach the people and cure the people. He was for the people; He didn’t even have time to eat. Therefore, His relatives decide to take Him back home to Nazareth. They arrive in the place where Jesus is preaching and they sent to Him and called Him. They say to Him: “Behold, your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you” (v. 32). He replies: “Who are my mother and my brethren?” And looking around the persons who sat about Him to listen to Him, He adds: “Here are my mother and my brethren! Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister and mother” (vv. 33-34). Jesus has formed a new family, no longer based on natural ties but on faith in Him, on His love that receives us and unites us in the Holy Spirit. All those that receive the word of Jesus are children of God and brothers among themselves. To receive the word of Jesus makes us brothers among ourselves and renders us Jesus’ family.
To bad-mouth others, to destroy the reputation of others, makes us the devil’s family. That answer of Jesus isn’t a lack of respect for his mother and relatives. Rather, for Mary, it’s the greatest recognition because she is, in fact, the perfect disciple who obeyed God’s will in everything. May the Virgin Mary help us to live always in communion with Jesus, recognizing the work of the Holy Spirit, who acts in Him and in the Church, regenerating the world to a new life.