This year the Gospel for this Second Sunday after Pentecost is Mark 3: 20-35. In this selection, there are three situations from early in Christ's public ministry. The general theme might be described as opposition and support for Jesus. First in Mark 3 20-21, we see that some members of Jesus' family do not understand or appreciate His ministry. They think that He is not in His right mind and needs to be restrained. Of course, they do not succeed. As important as family is, it cannot draw Him away from His divine calling.
Secondly in Mark 3:22-30, we see opposition to Jesus from religious leaders coming from Jerusalem. In their view, He has not had the right education or received proper credentials. But these official teachers go much farther in their accusations, and in doing so, they cross an important spiritual line. They actually accuse Jesus of being allied with the devil. They reject all value in His work and despise the work of God's Spirit through Him. They have adopted a hardened attitude which will prevent them from turning from sin to accept His saving message.
Thirdly at the end of our Gospel, in Mark 3:31-35, there is another reference to family. Jesus' mother and other relatives come to Him. This event becomes the occasion for Jesus to give an important teaching on human relationships. Jesus does not deny the true value of physical kinship; He respects it in many passages. However, here He makes the point that physical kinship is secondary to spiritual kinship. Christian ties through serving the heavenly Father are more important than the dearest earthly ties. Faithfulness to God and Christ's Gospel transcends our loyalty to ordinary human duties. In other words, faith in the Gospel transcends the righteousness of the Law.
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