“...Out of His Mind.”

~~~ Saint Francis de Sales ~~~
~~~ Bishop and Doctor of the Church ~~~

~~~ Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14 ~~~ Psalm 47 ~~~ Mark 3:20-21 ~~~

“He is out of his mind.”

By most anyone's standards what Jesus
did while he was on earth was most surprising,
maybe not even logical.
So as a bystander, it would appear
that he was out of his mind.

First of all he chose men he barely knew, if at all,
with no qualifications to come and follow him.

He appeared to act in defiance of most of the ancient Jewish laws...
he ate with sinners and worst of all he 'worked' on the Sabbath.
He healed the sick, crippled and possessed on the assigned 'holy' day.

Jesus never tried to belittle all of the prescribed rules
he just knew what he came to offer was so much better...
What he offered was so beyond all of their numerous restrictions.

When Jesus came so much changed that it was
overwhelming for those who were steeped in the old ways. 

This is not a difficult concept to grasp; just ask any
person today over seventy five
their view of technology is too different
 for them to grasp.

So it was with Jesus...he was now the sacrificial lamb.
His blood would be shed to atone for all sins
throughout all of eternity.

This idea is like believing today
 that one little bunch of broccoli is all
the nutrition you need for the rest of your life.
If you did believe that we might consider
you to be 'out of your mind'. 

...how much more will the Blood of Christ, 
who through the eternal spirit offered
 himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences 
from dead works 
to worship the living God.

Jesus was the final living sacrifice.
He shed his blood so that we would no longer
 live in the darkness of sin.
His blood would cleanse our consciences
 from the dead works of sin.
The works of sin will never bring life;
Jesus was determined to bring life
physical, mental and spiritual.

Even still some turned and walked away.
Some refused the life he offered.
Some could not risk making the transition.

Many did make the leap of faith
even when those around them believe
they have lost their mind.

We join together in community
 to worship our living God.
If we are 'out of our minds' at least
we are in good company.

If what we believe about the blood of Jesus
having the power to save us is wrong
 then he must have something better in store for us.
On the other hand if it is true, which I do believe to be the case,
then we will be rejoicing together.

If following Jesus means we must be 'out of our mind'
then let's make that leap of faith
with our mind, body, and spirit.

Blessed...we have nothing to lose
if we believe in our living God.

Saint Francis de Sales, pray for us.
Have patience with all things, but first with yourself.
Do not wish to be anything
 but who your are, and try to be that perfectly.

~~~Peace~~~