For the second Sunday after Pentecost, Rev. Cari preached on Mark 3:20-35, an “origin story” in Mark’s Gospel, to the extent that it talks about Jesus’ home and his family.

It also challenges several cherished notions we may be carrying:

1. That the Scribes (who accuse Jesus of being “possessed” in this story) are the “bad guys” and should be sidelined.
2. That references to “demon possession” or “evil” are archaic and can be ignored.
3. That Jesus had a conventional understanding of the nuclear family, just like ours today.

This sermon blows up all those notions. It also directly addresses the participation of settler Canadian government leaders, and Canadian churches – including the United Church of Canada – in the still unfolding project of assimilation, and cultural genocide of Indigenous peoples.

And, it invites the listener into a learning stance, a listening stance, as we face these truths and decide how we will respond.