The recommended gospel reading for today is Mark 3:19b-35 which you can read at this link. I am going to focus on verses 20-22 and 31-32 which you can read below:

Mark 3:20-22, 31-32

20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. 21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.

22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan,[a] the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”

….

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers[b] are outside asking for you.”

33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”34 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 ”

–Mark 3:20-22, 31-32

This passage has confused me in the past, especially verses 33 & 34. It appears that Jesus is dishonoring his mother, but when you read beginning with verse 20 you will gain more understanding.

It is obvious that Jesus mother and brothers did not understand Jesus’ mission. They had concluded that Jesus was out of his mind, and were ready to take him away from the crowd. At the same time, the religious leaders were challenging him and accusing him of using demonic power to cast out demons.

Jesus knew how to answer the religious leaders (in the omitted verses) and to put them in their place. Then he was told his mother and brothers were at the door.

Jesus’ response was a statement that explained the difference between his spiritual family and his biological family – who at that point in time were rejecting his message and his mission. Those who did God’s will were his spiritual brothers and sisters.