Gn 3:9-15
2 Cor 4:13—5:1
Mk 3:20-35

Inner Development

In the first reading for this Sunday, Adam and Eve are confronted by God because of their disobedience, but at the same time, promised victory through the offspring of a woman. In the second reading Paul reminds us, “Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” In the gospel, Jesus faces opposition from the religious leaders of his day and from his own family. Jesus gives a new concept of family, emphasizing the importance of a spiritual relationship and obedience to God’s commands.

We know from Paul’s writings that he suffered physically and faced all kinds of adversity. He reminds the Corinthians (and us) that our physical being will die and what will last is our spiritual or inner selves, our souls. This is the most important part of us. 

Within a few miles of my home are a number of fitness centers. They are very popular and people pay money to work on their bodies. Outward appearances, being healthy and looking good are strong motivations. These are all good, but Paul reminds us that what is really important is our inner life. How much time and effort do we put forth to deepen our relationship God and become more whole and holy? 

Paul wants us to look at the time we spend on our outer selves and compare it to the time we spend on our inner selves. We are told that true beauty is within. Are we willing and motivated to work on our inner selves with the same intensity we work on our outer selves? Paul tells us, “Look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.”

In the gospel reading, Jesus’ family is calling him crazy and the scribes are saying he is possessed by a demon. He ignores his mother who is outside and then says, “For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”This is where Jesus gives us a new concept of family. We are a part of that family when we follow God’s plan for us. It means we fully develop our interior spiritual selves so that we daily grow deeper in our relationship with our loving God who loves us completely.

What motivates you to deepen or grow your inner spiritual self?

What does it mean to you to be part of the family of Jesus?