Jesus' relatives "came to take charge of Him, saying, 'He is out of His mind' " (Mk 3:21). Because His relatives thought He was crazy, you might think Jesus would "mind His manners." Jesus, however, was not one to succumb to pressure in even the slightest way. Jesus then said something He knew would make Him look crazy. When told that His mother, brothers, and sisters were outside, Jesus asked the "crazy" question: "Who are My mother and My brothers?" (Mk 3:33)

Imagine someone telling you your wife was on the phone. What if you said: "Who is my wife?" Wouldn't it make people doubt your sanity, especially if you were already being described as insane? Obviously, Jesus didn't care how He sounded or what people thought. Jesus' concern was not to protect Himself or please people; His total concern was to do the will of His Father (see Mk 3:35). To do the Father's will was Jesus' food (Jn 4:34). He delighted to do the Father's will (see Ps 40:9). When God's will became bitterly painful, Jesus did it anyway. He said and lived: "Not My will, but Thy (the Father's) will be done" (Mt 26:39, our transl.). Jesus did the Father's will, even to death on the cross (see Phil 2:8).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 27, 2012

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.