Out Of Our Minds For Good

Recent Scripture readings have alluded to Jesus’ intensity and how he excited and sometimes rankled people. His notoriety had a worrisome effect on his family. Recall last Saturday’s gospel: 

 

“Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’ “(Mark 2:20-21)

 

This kind of effect on one’s family is not foreign to us. We know the topics that are likely to raise the temperature in the room when someone brings up a political or religious opinion that is not universally shared. We have experienced how it sets teeth on edge and changes the mood. With a little luck, someone redirects the conversation and normalcy returns. But we learn the perils of being the perpetrator of such a scene.

 

How can we have meaningful conversations with our families and others without causing a meltdown? We have just lived through an intensely difficult moment in our country when many have gone from deep discouragement to elation to new realizations about the problems our country and world face. Can we find unity of heart and purpose to help heal our divisions? It could be that next Saturday’s evening prayer reading holds an answer: 

 

“Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence.”  (1 Peter 3: 13&16)   

 

We could also rest in this insight of Alice Walker’s:

 

Who knows what will happen next?

Craziness has a long shelf life.

All we do know 

is now is the time

to live life to the full

and without 

regret.

[From the poem, “Fullness of Heart,” in Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart]

 

Can you express the reason for your hope with gentleness and reverence?

 

Erica Jordan, OP
Kenosha, WI