Mad For God

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012117.cfm) reminds me that I should be ready to be Mad For God. 

They say that people do crazy things when you're in love. They do mad things. Things that they would not normally or usually do. In the same way people do this when in love, we should also be ready and willing to do this out of love for God. 

In the gospel, we see Jesus being so busy doing God's work. So busy that he did not have time to do the basics, the essentials - like eating. He was so busy that he devoted all of his time and energy for God's work, putting his basic needs behind. His focus was on God. That's why people said he is out of his mind. He is mad. Because he is not taking care of himself. 

We should be ready and willing to do this. To work hard to build God's kingdom. To work hard to do God's work. To be willing to forget our own needs and wants and focus on God, having faith that he would take care of us as we do his work. However, this does not mean we will get everyone's support and appreciation. As with Jesus, people thought he was crazy. Sometimes we may get that feedback and reaction from people - especially people closest to us. We just need to be firm and focus on God as we serve him. As we do things for him. 

May we be ready to be mad for God. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not show how much I love you. Sorry for being half hearted when I serve you. Help me love and serve you like Jesus. As I do my best, I know you will continue to take care of me. Amen. 

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

January 21, 2017
Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
Lectionary: 316

Reading 1 Heb 9:2-3, 11-14

A tabernacle was constructed, the outer one,
in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of offering;
this is called the Holy Place.
Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies.

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be,
passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands,
that is, not belonging to this creation,
he entered once for all into the sanctuary,
not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own Blood,
thus obtaining eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes
can sanctify those who are defiled
so that their flesh is cleansed,
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.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
For king of all the earth is God:
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

Alleluia Acts 16:14b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 3:20-21

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."