Jesus preached and taught crowds so massive that He couldn't get His dinner break. His family said: "He is out of His mind. We're taking over. Food comes first, not the Word" (cf Acts 6:2).

Jesus prophesied to His apostles that He would suffer and be put to death in Jerusalem. Peter said: "Enough of this. He is out of His mind. I'm taking charge. We're outta here" (see Mt 16:22).

People are still taking charge of Jesus today. Listen:

• "Preach repentance and holiness? (Mk 1:4, 15) Out of His mind. No one wants to hear about sin. I'm taking charge. Hearing thirty minutes of Confessions weekly is enough."
• "Tithe ten percent of your income a week? Out of His mind. No parishioner will listen to that. I'm taking charge. We'll sell beer, have raffles, play bingo. Sacrificial giving is out."
• "Preach against artificial birth control? Out of His mind. I'd lose half my congregation. I'm taking charge. I'll play it safe and tickle their ears (2 Tm 4:3)."
• "Become a priest? Give up sex, marriage, and freedom? Out of His mind. My friends will think I'm a fanatic. I'm taking charge. I'd better start partying more often."
• "Have more children? Out of His mind. It's my body, my finances, my career, my future. I'm taking charge. Let the other families have more kids."

If we try to take charge of Jesus, are we really His family any more? Jesus said that the members of His family are those who do the will of His heavenly Father (Mt 12:50).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard Walling, July 7, 2004

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 19, 2004