Homily for Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

The passages surrounding today’s Gospel reveal the mixed reactions to Jesus’ activities in Capernaum. Enormous crowds gathered around Him on the seashore, while His family believed He was out of His mind and wanted to intervene. In today’s passage, the religious authorities—the scribes from Jerusalem—attributed His actions to evil sources, an attitude that ultimately contributed to His death.

Jesus pointed out the inconsistency in their opinion, which suggested that He was operating under two conflicting plans simultaneously. He accused them of committing an unforgivable sin: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. While they claimed He was possessed by an unclean or demonic spirit, it was, in fact, the Holy Spirit that guided Jesus' words and actions throughout His life and ministry.

Like Jesus, when we follow the Holy Spirit, we may find ourselves at odds with the world around us and even with those who are closest to us. 

Let us pray that in our quest to follow God’s will, we may be most influenced by the promptings of God’s Spirit dwelling in our hearts, minds, and souls.