Families are all a bit crazy! - Right – don’t you think that! I know mine is and I love them all dearly! I am sure we all have stories that we can tell about our families and some of their craziness. In this Gospel Jesus is accused of being crazy by the scribes and those close to Him! He returns home with people having heard all wonders he has done, driving out demons, curing the lame, and healing many people. However, they must have wondered how He a son of a carpenter could do all this? The scribes even confront and accuse Jesus of using the power of Satan to do His works! Jesus responds with not one but two parables about how ridiculous this idea is. Jesus parables describe and illustrate that evil will always produce evil and house or kingdom itself could not endure if it is divided against itself!
As I celebrate my 50th anniversary as a priest with much joy and gratitude, I personally go back 66 years to when I was a fifth grader at Our Lady of Good Counsel School and I was preparing to becoming an altar boy. A very treasured memory I have was being with my dad in my parent’s bed room, and my dad was teaching me not only to memorize but also to learn the meaning of the prayers at the Foot of the Altar back in the days when Mass was celebrated in Latin. My dad would take the part of the priest (My dad came by the priest’s part quite naturally as his brother and one of his sons and one of his grandsons are priests). My dad said: “Introibo ad altare Dei.” Translation: “I will go to the altar of God.” Then my dad would make sure I had the response spot on: “Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.” To God who gives joy to my youth.