Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

Title

He is Out of His Mind

Outline

When she heard I was becoming Catholic, my eldest daughter thought me crazy

She actually asked, “Mom, do you think that when Dad blacked out and hit his head in Belgium [in 2004] he damaged his brain?”

This is one of the kinder suggestions I have heard made about those considering such a step and certainly about Muslims and Hindus who convert to any form of Christianity

But St Agnes would understand, for she lived for another sphere and person who was beyond our universe

Jesus, of course, is the first “Christian” to be called crazy

It was his own relatives who made the accusation - some would later convert

We learn later in the chapter that they even brought Mary along, although nothing in the text suggests that she shared their opinion - she probably just wanted to take the opportunity to see Jesus

What was Jesus doing that upset well-disposed folk? He was proclaiming the kingdom of God and demonstrating its power, resulting in crowds gathering that made even eating impossible. (A problem analogous to some St Dominic, among others, sometimes had)

In a land in which the ruling Herodian had secret police/informers because he was threatened by people movements, especially those talking about a kingdom that was not his, this was dangerous. The relatives were probably talking about protective custody.

But Jesus, as St Agnes, could “see” realities that the people could not, and they trumped the value of life in this world itself.

Hebrews lays out some of those realities

First, the author pictures a very real historical sanctuary with two rooms, an outer one equipped for typical worship and an inner one with only the ark of the covenant with which was associated the unseen presence of God himself. The structure is modeled on Egyptian portable sanctuaries and not dissimilar to other Mediterranean temples, even it was a tent and even if the ark was no longer there.

In a typical ceremony the high priest would enter the inner room yearly, shrouded by incense, bearing the blood of a slain animal to “make purification before” God.

Then our author changes the scene: Christ, as high priest, processing into an uncreated tabernacle in a heavenly “location” (if we can call it that), carrying blood - his own blood - for he “through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God.” We are in a different world, a higher world, an unseen world.

Hebrews argument is: if Israelite sacrifices were effective (offered within this world), how much more effective is that of Christ.

And for that unseen world and its greater sacrifices the readers of Hebrews are called to commit and suffer - although not yet to the point of death.

And they would be called crazy.

Sisters, you will, if you have not already been, called crazy

About 1% of humans can see ultraviolet or infrared light, seeing things others cannot. You and I have been enabled by grace to see the heavenly sanctuary, to see the cross no longer as a horrible act of terrorism but as an offering, its blood carried into the presence of God. You and I have been enabled to see the crucified one as the High Priest, the heavenly bridegroom, the King of Kings. It is not craziness, it is the eyes of faith given by the grace of God.

We may not, with St Agnes and many others, go to our deaths because we hold fast to that vision, but we will at least be called crazy.

And we may start to believe them if we cease to focus on the blessed sacrament and feed on the Eucharist, for those are the means God has given for keeping our eyes of faith in good shape.

However, we must realize that we see things others cannot and proclaim things they cannot accept unless God gives them the grace of new eyes. And therefore in place of anger we are given prayer and with St Agnes we pray for those rejecting us rather than hating them.

St Agnes, pray for us and pray with us for those who think us crazy.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 1-21-2023: Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

FIRST READING

Hebrews 9:2–3, 11–14

2 For 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. 3 Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies,

11 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, 12 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. 13 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, 14 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.

Catholic Daily Readings 1-21-2023: Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

RESPONSE

Psalm 47:6

6 God has gone up with a shout;

the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.

PSALM

Psalm 47:2–3, 6–9

2 All you peoples, clap your hands;

shout to God with joyful cries.

3 For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared,

the great king over all the earth,

6 God has gone up with a shout;

the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.

7 Sing praise to God, sing praise;

sing praise to our king, sing praise.

8 For God is king over all the earth;

sing hymns of praise.

9 God rules over the nations;

God sits upon his holy throne.

Catholic Daily Readings 1-21-2023: Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Acts 16:14b

14 One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying.

GOSPEL

Mark 3:20–21

20 He came home. Again [the] crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. 21 When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Notes

Saturday, January 21, 2023 | Memorial

Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

Years 1 & 2 | Roman Missal | Lectionary

RED

Catholic Daily Readings 1-21-2023: Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr

From Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading Hebrews 9:2–3, 11–14

Response Psalm 47:6

Psalm Psalm 47:2–3, 6–9

Gospel Acclamation Acts 16:14b

Gospel Mark 3:20–21