Confusion

Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”
And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast 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, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.
“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.
Mark 3:20-35

Transitions from childhood to adulthood are difficult. Our roles change both as parents and as children. We take on new responsibility and we let go of others. Our families often send mixed messages, wanting us to be adults and children at the same time. As a mother of three grown daughters who are incredible adults, I know I still want them to need me as they did as children. I can privately be resentful of the passage of time and the changes continue to remake us as a family.

Jesus was at the beginning of his ministry. He had called his disciples and they were on the road together. There were in high spirits and the religious authority felt threatened as did his family. All were confused as the roles had changed. No longer was his mother and siblings his supporters but in their confusion, his detractors. He had to from for himself a new family, a new way of supporting and being supported that sustained and empowered his ministry. God calls us, in times of change, transition and confusion to seek the God's support and sustaining. We are also invited to be remade as we remake our communities of faith and support.

Today I ask God for the strength needed for growth and transition. We are on the brink of new lives and new ways of being and it can be confusing. May we know today that God is walking with us in our journey and that we can remake ourselves and our communities as needed for the road ahead. May we never get too old or too jaded to ask for help. And may we seek God in our confusion, trusting that God will deliver for us a new family and a new home.