What does it mean to be out of one's mind? Does it mean that we mourn when our enemy dies, as David did at Saul's death? Does it mean that we show compassion to those in need? Does it mean that we give even the shirt off our back?
In today's Gospel the crowds had again gathered around Jesus just as they do around Pope Francis today because they want to touch holiness, to be healed, to have their hope renewed. We are all like that. We want to be in God's presence. God calls us to his presence so that we might be in communion with him. Jesus will not turn away those in need for he has such great love and compassion.
His family thinks that he is out of his mind. But aren't all things possible in God? And so, if one must be crazy, why not be a fool for God? Why not love as he loved? Why not enact his spiritual and corporal works to grow that love? Our Good Shepherd is teaching us and leading us in this path, for this is the path to eternal life. In this path we give up our will, what we think we ought to do, and are drawn out of our comfort zones, and perhaps others will think we are also out of our minds.
St. Ignatius of Loyola has a prayer, let us join with him today:
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.
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