From now on, you will be “fishers of men”!

Today at Holy Mass St Mark tells us something rather interesting about how those close to Jesus thought of him…..”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”……How could people think the Savior of the world is “crazy”? - Especially those who were very close to him…..This account of Jesus’ public ministry should tell us something today…..Catholics are not to live like everyone else….Do you go along to get along?…….And if we live “differently”, some people in mainstream society frankly will think we are “crazy”…Why? - Because we do not “buy in” to the established norms of the day…..Far too many Catholics in America “blend in” to our pagan society - Their daily witness, their family life, the items they buy, and how they use their time all comport with the rest of our Post-Christian Society - We use contraception in our marriages - We divorce our wives - We have sex out of wedlock……To name a few of the ways many Catholics live in America…..And for the ones who do not “buy in”…Who have big families with many children - Who live modestly - Who stay married faithfully until death - These people are viewed as “crazy” by our society….Have people really changed since the time of Christ?….Jesus is very clear about how the world will view us in the pages of Scripture…..”In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world”…….If we are not experiencing this “trouble” that Jesus speaks about, maybe we are not living the way we should be?

“Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son

I am the father if five children, all of which are under the age of eleven years old…I got married late in life, at the age of 43 and my wife is ten years younger then me…Professionally speaking, I work at an International European bank in New York City……When my wife was pregnant with our fifth child I was 50 years old…..I did not tell my boss at work until around one month before our youngest daughter Maria was born….I can remember my boss’s reaction to me telling him that I was about to have my fifth child at the age of 51 years old…..”Joe - You are crazy!!!”……This is coming from a man that makes a ridiculous amount of money - Who could offered to provide for 10 children!…..Some thoughts to ponder - Why is it crazy to have children?….Why is it crazy to use your money to provide for others?….Why is it crazy to live simply?…..The example I just shared is how the secular world views a Catholic witness - I am telling you this because this has been my experience - And while what I said is true - What we may not realize is, by living as Catholics in the world, we are “sowing seeds” even with those around us with seemingly impenetrable, hardened hearts…….Mere words will never pierce the hearts of a darkened conscience…..Only self-sacrificial love, witnessed in real time will make people “re-think” choices made, which in turn could lead to both individual and societal transformation…..Secular people may think you are “crazy” for living as a Catholic, but deep within their hearts, they “thirst” for what you have!……….”Peace* I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid”………No matter who you are, all people want to be at peace and authentic peace can only be found in God…Remember the words of another man who experienced a worldly life only to change his mind….”The human heart does not rest until it rest in thee”…Those were the words of St Augustine, who had everything the world had to offer, only to “figure out” that without God, he had nothing!…..So embrace the reality that many people today in our Post-Christian society may think practicing Catholics are “crazy” for renounce the materialistic world….While this is true - But at the same time - What also is true - The witness of practicing Catholics will resonate deeply amongst the lost, the wounded and the lonely (More people then we will ever realize!) ….This is what the world needs to see - Witnesses!……So let the world “think” you are crazy…….And take courage!…….“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves”……..Its good to be “different” - Jesus was different….Maybe its time to redefine our terms?

“Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved”

Today St Mark tells us in his Gospel that people thought Jesus was crazy……And if we are honest and did not believe in God - We too would think the same thing……..But we do be believe in God and because we do, we must live differently!……When we were children in the school yard, each of us wanted to belong to the crowd - This is a very common human trait - The need to “belong” - And while this is true for all of us, if we are to follow Christ, we must be willing to be set this desire aside as we walk and live amongst a godless world….It is inevitable, that if you are a practicing Catholic living and working in our post christian culture, secular people will think you are crazy!…But remember what Jesus tells us - We must be “crazy as a fox”……….Catholics are not meant to isolate themselves, we are to live in the world but not be of the world…This is how our post-christian world will be impacted and ultimately transformed - Not by a lecture but by our daily witness…….These were the words of a future pope, Fr Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) said this in 1969…….”But when the trial of this sifting is past, a great power will flow from a more spiritualized and simplified Church. Men in a totally planned world will find themselves unspeakably lonely. If they have completely lost sight of God, they will feel the whole horror of their poverty. Then they will discover the little flock of believers as something wholly new. They will discover it as a hope that is meant for them, an answer for which they have always been searching in secret”………So let the world “think” you are “crazy” - And pick up your cross and follow me….,,,,From now on, you will be “fishers of men”!…….JMJ