This Sunday I was home alone for Father's day while my wife and kids were on a trip to the beach.  During prayer this morning I thought of formation of my lower nature in 2 layers, the reactionary and the deep seceded drives.  I can't remember the depth of this concept but I wish that I could.

I went to mass by myself and enjoyed the insight into the Gospel reading of "who do you say that I am". In the opening reading it occurred to me that the concept of the sacrificial servant was present in the prophetic old testament writings.  To me this lent credibility to the claim of Christ since many at the time wanted him to be a political zealot.

I got to go to my parents house and visit with my Dad.  We had a great time together talking about sports and my kids.  I regretted that I couldn't find a way to talk about anything substantive.

In the afternoon I got a call from a guy who requested some advice for overcoming an extreme outburst of justifiable anger over an occurrence where his child was threatened.  I was grateful for the insight that I was able to provide to him this Father's day.

I had a terrible time trying to stay focused on my schoolwork again.  I read and read and could not absorb or retain anything.

When my wife came home she told that the trip was a nightmare.  My relative that went with them had a meltdown and flew into a tirade against her and my kids and my parents.  She threatened my wife and my kids and cussed them out and demanded to be let out of the vehicle and frantically called everyone she knew to pick up her car at our house and come to the coast and get her.  She physically threatened my wife and scared the hell out of my kids.  I came close to a meltdown myself.

It took a good while for me to calm down about it.  I caught myself wanted to call her and cuss her out.  I wanted to condemn her as psycho and never speak to her again.  I wanted to let her know she needs help and deserved the cold shoulder she gets from my parents.  It was ironic that I needed all the advice about overcoming resentment and forgiving a person who threatens your child that I gave to the friend today.

Thanks be to God.