JULY 22, 2012 : SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 107

Jeremiah.

Reading 1 Jer 23:1-6

Woe to the shepherds
who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,
says the LORD.
Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,
against the shepherds who shepherd my people:
You have scattered my sheep and driven them away.
You have not cared for them,
but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock
from all the lands to which I have driven them
and bring them back to their meadow;
there they shall increase and multiply.
I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them
so that they need no longer fear and tremble;
and none shall be missing, says the LORD.

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
as king he shall reign and govern wisely,
he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
"The LORD our justice."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Reading 2 Eph 2:13-18

Brothers and sisters:
In Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have become near by the blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, he who made both one
and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh,
abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims,
that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two,
thus establishing peace,
and might reconcile both with God,
in one body, through the cross,
putting that enmity to death by it.
He came and preached peace to you who were far off
and peace to those who were near,
for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Gospel Mk 6:30-34

The apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.

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Scripture Study

July 22, 2012 Sixteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time

This week the Church celebrates the Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time with a look at a messianic prophecy from Jeremiah and the beginnings of its fulfillment in Mark's Gospel. Jeremiah blames the misfortunes of Israel on the faithlessness of it's leaders but he foresees the coming of the ideal shepherd who will faithfully lead God's people. In the second reading, Paul reminds us of the unity that we all have in Christ. Our actions should reflect that unity in person-to-person care for each other. While these texts may seem to be most applicable to the church's leadership, all of us who claim to be members of God's people are reminded of our own personal responsibility. In many ways each of us is a shepherd to someone. We all have at least one other person (usually many) that we can influence and are meant to help nurture and guard in the journey of life. We influence our children, spouses, family members and friends every day. Even those of us who are most alone have strangers who see our actions and can be influenced by the way we act. The way in which we live our lives is the only gospel that some people will ever read. Today we are reminded to take that responsibility seriously. Which of us would want to be classified with the bad shepherds rebuked by Jeremiah?

NOTES on First Reading:

* 23:1-4 God here contrasts himself with the false rulers who have governed His people for their own selfish ends. The image of the good shepherd is applied to God, himself. He is expected to appoint worthy rulers in the times of restoration. All the last kings of Judah met tragic ends. 

A similar but longer oracle is found in Ezek 34. 

* 23:5 This is usually taken to be a prophecy that a messianic King will arise from the line of David who will rule over both the northern and southern kingdoms, Judah and Israel, with the justice of the Lord, fulfilling all the kingly ideals. 

"The days are coming," is a formula for calling attention to a very solemn proclamation. 

"Righteous shoot" and the synonymous expression in Isa 11:1 became a classic term for the Messiah (Zech 3:8; 6:12). 

* 23:6 Both Judah and Israel will share in the salvation to be brought by the expected king. 

"The Lord our justice" is probably an ironic wordplay on the name of the weak King Zedekiah ("The Lord is justice"). The messianic King will be in reality what Zedekiah is in name only.

NOTES on Second Reading:

* 2:13 Here Paul uses spatial imagery (see Isa 57:19 and Zech 6:15) to present the change in the believer's spiritual situation as a result of Christ's death. In Paul's theology (See Rom 5:10-11; 2 Cor 5:18-20), the reconciliation achieved through the death of Jesus brought peace and union with God. In Ephesians this understanding of reconciliation was expanded to include peace and unity between Jews and Gentiles. 

* 2:14-16 Many scholars think that these verses comprise a fragment of an early Christian hymn. 

* 2:14 The dividing wall is usually seen as being the barrier between Jews and Gentiles but some have suggested that Paul has in mind the barrier between God and His people. 

* 2:15 The new humanity created in Christ has been reconciled to God through the cross of Christ. Paul writes of the two being forged into one by Christ. 

* 2:16 The one new person is the one new people of God that are formed by and in Christ, the Church. Both Jews and Gentiles are together in forming the one new mature body of Christ. 

* 2:17 See Isa 57:19 in which God sends His peace to the far and near for an earlier expression of this idea. 

* 2:18 It is this Spirit that binds us together in Christ and gives us our new relationship with Jesus, with God, the Father, and with each other.

NOTES on Gospel:

* 6:30-34 There is some argument for making these verses a part of the following story ("Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes".) Even though there is some preparation for the story that follows, these verses have an obvious relationship with the missionary charge of 6:6b-14 and they form a sandwich with that section around 6:14-29. These verses also underscore the disciples' participation in Jesus' ministry as well as the people's enthusiasm for Jesus and His compassion for them. 

* 6:30 The word, "apostles," is not used anywhere else in Mark's Gospel. It is generally a post-resurrection term. It may have been used here simply in contrast to use of "disciples" for the disciples of John in 6:29. 

* 6:31 Here, the Gospel presents the apostles as a people of a new exodus. 

* 6:33 The people on foot arrive before Jesus and the disciples in the boat, thus setting up the situation for the multiplication of the loaves and fishes which follows a few verses later. 

* 6:34 "Sheep not having a Shepherd" refers to Numbers 27:17, Jer 50:6, 1 Kings 22:17.

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Meditation:  "Jesus had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd"

What does the image of a shepherd tell us about God’s care for us? Shepherding was one of the oldest of callings in Israel, even before farming, since the Chosen People had traveled from place to place, living in tents, and driving their flocks from one pasture to another. Looking after sheep was no easy calling. It required great skill and courage. Herds were often quite large, thousands or even ten thousands of sheep.  The flocks spent a good part of the year in the open country. Watching over them required a great deal of attention and care. Sheep who strayed from the flock had to be sought out and brought back by the shepherd. Since hyenas, jackals, wolves, and even bear were common and fed on sheep, the shepherds often had to do battle with these wild and dangerous beasts. A shepherd literally had to put his life on the line in defending his sheep. Shepherds took turns watching the sheep at night to ward off any attackers. The sheep and their shepherds continually lived together. Their life was so intimately bound together that individual sheep, even when mixed with other flocks, could recognize the voice of their own shepherd and would come immediately when called by name.
The Old Testament often spoke of God as shepherd of his people, Israel. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! (Psalm 80:1) We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3). The Messiah is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people: He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11). Jesus told his disciples that he was the Good Shepherd who was willing to lay down his life for his sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4, John 10). When he saw the multitude of people in need of protection and care, he was moved to respond with compassionate concern. His love was a personal love for each and every person who came to him in need. Peter the apostle called Jesus theShepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). Do you know the peace and security of a life freely submitted to Jesus, the Good Shepherd? In the person of the Lord Jesus we see the unceasing vigilance and patience of God's love. In our battle against sin and evil, Jesus is ever ready to give us help, strength, and refuge. Do you trust in his grace and help at all times?
"Lord Jesus, you guard and protect us from all evil. Help me to stand firm in your word and to trust in your help in all circumstances. May I always find rest and refuge in the shelter of your presence."

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Fellowship with Christ

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Listen to podcast version here.  Mark 6:30-34 The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, true God and true man, I believe in you. I trust in you because as a man you experienced everything I experience except sin. You have pity on me in my weakness because you became weak for love of me. I believe in you. I trust you. I thank you for your everlasting love and benevolence. Petition: Lord, help me to know you more intimately. 1. Father, Brother, Mentor: The apostles joyfully reported to Jesus all they had done and taught. They are like children, and he is a true father and a brother toward them. He is their mentor par excellence. He listens, responds, encourages and instructs them. They feel privileged to belong to him. Because of their love for Christ they continually renew their commitment to his cause. There is no doubt that he deserves this and much more. That is why they stick with him even when doing so means serving the large crowds amidst their own hunger and exhaustion. They wouldn’t leave him for the world. 2. Empowering the Apostles: Christ is a true leader for his apostles. He attracts them and guides them. His leadership is highly positive. He conquers their hearts because he is a man possessed by a transcendent and eternal ideal, which radiates from him with extraordinary vigor. With his deep knowledge of the human person (John 15:13), he is able to draw from each apostle’s qualities the maximum benefit for what is true and good. He doesn’t use them as lifeless instruments or tools. He begins by promoting each one’s temporal and eternal good and then directs them towards fulfilling the ideal that unites them. He creates a healthy mystique of belonging to the circle of his disciples. 3. Fellowship with Him: The crowds find out where Jesus and his apostles are going. From all the towns they hasten there on foot and arrive at that place before them. Imagine their excitement, their drive to seek out Jesus, and their rush to be with him. It is true that they are a fickle crowd. They have yet to know the Lord in all the breadth of his virtue and goodness. Nevertheless, the little they know of him resounds in the depths of their hearts. They sense in the Lord and within the community of his followers bonds of loyalty and fellowship and a spirit of authentic love. This is what their human hearts long for. Those who seek out Christ are never disappointed. Conversation with Christ: Lord, you were a father, a brother and a guide for the apostles. You were a master sculptor, molding them into your image of goodness, humility and generosity. Do the same for me, Lord. Mold me. Sculpt me into your image. Make me one of yours. Resolution: I will see myself as your apprentice today, Lord. I will try to listen to your voice in every thought and action. I will do this for love of you.

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The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want

They were like sheep without a shepherd.

‘Shepherds’, says Jeremiah, ‘you have allowed God’s flock to be destroyed and scattered.’ But Jesus is a different sort of shepherd. Rather than allowing the flock to be destroyed, in his own person he allows the hostility to be destroyed.

Dear Lord, sometimes it seems so enormous. It is hard to restrain a divisive word of anger or impatience. Lord, I want to believe in you, in your love which seeks to provide for my neediness and weakness. When I turn to the wider world around me, I want to believe that you are present to heal families and nations. In the midst of confusing claims, of strivings for power, of misunderstandings and ambiguities, it is your word which is food for my life.

Lord, show us how to give our lives, as you gave yours, so that all men and woman may come in one Spirit to find our common Father. Jesus, be our good shepherd.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

BALANCE 

Dear God, 
We pray for balance and exchange. Balance us like trees. As the roots of a tree shall equal its branches so must the inner life be equal to the outer life. And as the leaves shall nourish the roots so shall the roots give nourishment to the leaves. Without equality and exchange of nourishment there can be no growth and no love. 
Amen. 

-          Michael Leunig, A Common Prayer, Collins Dove, 1991 
  From A Canopy of Stars: Some Reflections for the Journey by Fr Christopher Gleeson SJ [David Lovell Publishing 2003]

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MINUTE MEDITATIONS 

Creating a Monastery
If the only “monastery” we create is our children, let’s personally teach them to love Christ and his Church. If we do, the faith in our families will be a living water, another Holy well to last throughout generations.
— from Saint Who?

July 22
St. Mary Magdalene

Except for the mother of Jesus, few women are more honored in the Bible than Mary Magdalene. Yet she could well be the patron of the slandered, since there has been a persistent legend in the Church that she is the unnamed sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus in Luke 7:36-50.

Most Scripture scholars today point out that there is no scriptural basis for confusing the two women. Mary Magdalene, that is, “of Magdala,” was the one from whom Christ cast out “seven demons” (Luke 8:2)—an indication, at the worst, of extreme demonic possession or, possibly, severe illness.
Father W.J. Harrington, O.P., writing in the New Catholic Commentary, says that “seven demons” “does not mean that Mary had lived an immoral life—a conclusion reached only by means of a mistaken identification with the anonymous woman of Luke 7:36.” Father Edward Mally, S.J., writing in the Jerome Biblical Commentary,agrees that she “is not...the same as the sinner of Luke 7:37, despite the later Western romantic tradition about her.”
Mary Magdalene was one of the many “who were assisting them [Jesus and the Twelve] out of their means.” She was one of those who stood by the cross of Jesus with his mother. And, of all the “official” witnesses that might have been chosen for the first awareness of the Resurrection, she was the one to whom that privilege was given. She is known as the "Apostle to the Apostles."

Comment:

Mary Magdalene has been a victim of mistaken identity for almost 20 centuries. Yet she would no doubt insist that it makes no difference. We are all sinners in need of the saving power of God, whether our sins have been lurid or not. More importantly, we are all, with her, “unofficial” witnesses of the Resurrection.

Patron Saint of:

Penitents
Perfumers

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LECTIO: 16TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (B)

Lectio:  Sunday, July 22, 2012

Jesus feels compassion for the people

The Banquet of Life – Jesus invites to sharing

Mark 6, 30-34

1. Opening prayer

Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us to read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of resurrection.

Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Jesus, son of Mary, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.

2. Reading

a) A key to the reading:

The text on which we will meditate on this 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time is brief. Only five verses. At first sight a few lines seem to be only a brief introduction to the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves in the desert (Mk 6, 34-44). But if the Liturgy of this Sunday has separated from the rest and underlined these five verses, it means that they contain something very important that perhaps we would not notice if they were only used as an introduction to the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves.

In fact, these five verses reveal a characteristic of Jesus which has always struck and continues to strike us: his concern for health and the formation of the disciples, his accepting and welcoming humanity toward the poor people of Galilee, his tenderness towards persons. If the Church by means of the Sunday Liturgy, invites us to reflect on these aspects of the activity of Jesus it is on order to encourage us to prolong this same attitude of Jesus in the relationship that we have with others. During this reading we will be very attentive to the minute details of Jesus’ attitude toward others.

b) A division of the text to help in the reading:

Mark 6, 30: Revision of the apostolic work

Mark 6, 31-32: Concern of Jesus that the disciples get some rest

Mark 6, 33: People have other criteria and follow Jesus

Mark 6, 34: Moved to compassion, Jesus changes his plan and receives and welcomes the people.

c) The text:

³⁰ The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. ³¹ And he said to them, 'Come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while'; for there were so many coming and going that there was no time for them even to eat. ³² So they went off in the boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. ³³ But people saw them going, and many recognised them; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. ³⁴ So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.

3. A moment of prayerful silence

so that the Word of God may penetrate and enlighten our life.

4. Some questions

to help us in our personal reflection.

a) Which is the aspect of Jesus’ attitude which has pleased you the most and which arose greatest admiration among the people in Jesus’ time?

b) Jesus’ concern for the disciples and his concern to accept and welcome the people well: both of these are important. Which one of these prevails in Jesus’ attitude?

c) Compare Jesus’ attitude with the attitude of the Good Shepherd of Psalm 23. What strikes the most?

d) Is the attitude of our community the same as that of Jesus?

5. For those who wish to deepen more into the theme

a)    The context which enlightens the text:

i) Chapter six of Mark shows an enormous contrast! On the one hand Mark speaks about the banquet of death, held by Herod with the great of Galilee, in the palace of the Capital City, during which John the Baptist was killed (Mk 6, 17-29). On the other hand, the banquet of life, held by Jesus for the people of Galilee, hungry in the desert, so that they would not perish along the way (Mk 6, 35-44). The five verses of this Sundays’ reading (Mk 6, 30-34) are placed exactly between these two banquets.

ii) These five verses underline two things:

- they offer a picture of Jesus, the Formator of the Disciples;

- they indicate that to announce the Good News of Jesus is not only a question of doctrine, but above all of acceptance, of goodness, of tenderness, of availability, of revelation of the love of God.

b) Commentary on the text:

Mark 6, 30-32: The welcoming acceptance given to the disciples

These verses indicate that Jesus formed the new leaders. He involved the disciples in the mission and he used to take them immediately to a more peaceful place so as to be able to rest and make a revision of their mission (cfr. Lk 10, 17-20). He was concerned about their nourishment and of their rest, because the work of the mission was such that they did not even have the time to eat (cfr. Jn 21, 9-13).

Mark 6, 33-34: Moved to compassion, Jesus changes his plans and receives the people

The people perceive that Jesus had gone to the other shore of the lake, and they follow him. When Jesus, in getting out of the boat, saw that crowd, he renounced to rest and began to teach them. Here we can see the abandonment in which the people were. Jesus was moved to compassion, “because they were like sheep without a shepherd”. The one who reads this parable remembers the Psalm of the Good Shepherd (Ps 23). When Jesus becomes aware that the people have no shepherd, he began to be their shepherd. He began to teach. He guides the crowds in the desert of life, and the multitude could then sing: “The Lord is my shepherd. There is nothing I shall want!”

c)    Extending the information:

● A picture of Jesus, the Formator

“To follow” was the term which formed part of the education system of the time. It was used to indicate the relationship between the Disciple and the Master. The relationship Master-Disciple is diverse from the relationship professor-pupil. The pupils attend the classes of the professor on a given subject. The disciples “follow” the Master and live with him. And it is precisely during this “living together” of three years with Jesus that the disciples received their formation.

Jesus, the Master is the axis, the centre and the model of formation. In his attitudes it is a proof of the Kingdom, he incarnates the love of God and reveals it (Mk 6, 31; Mt 10, 30-31; Lk 15,11-32). Many small gestures mirror this witness of life with which Jesus indicated his presence in the life of the disciples, preparing them for life and for the mission. This was his way of giving a human form to the experience which he himself had had with the Father:

- to involve them in the mission (Mk 6,7; Lk 9, 1-2; 10,1),

- once, he reviews this mission with them (Lk 10, 17-20),

- he corrects them when they make a mistake or when they want to be the first ones (Mk 10, 13-15; Lk 9, 46-48),

- he waits for the opportune moment to correct them (Mk 9, 33-35),

- he helps them to discern (Mk 9, 28-29),

- he challenges them when they are slow (Mk 4, 13; 8, 14-21),

- he prepares them for the time of conflict (Jn 16, 33; Mt 10, 17-25),

- he sends them out to observe and to analyse reality (Mk 8, 27-29; Jn 4, 35; Mt 16, 1-3),

- he reflects together with them on the questions of the present moment (Lk 13, 1-5),

- he places them before the needs of the multitude (Jn 6, 5),

- he corrects the mentality of revenge (Lk 9, 54-55),

- he teaches that the needs of the multitude are over and above the ritual prescriptions (Mt 12,7,12),

- he fights against the mentality which thinks that sickness is a punishment from ¨God (Jn 9, 2-3),

- he spends time alone with them in order to be able to instruct them (Mk 4, 34; 7, 17; 9, 30-31; 10, 10; 13, 3),

- he knows how to listen, even when dialogue is difficult (Jn 4, 7-42),

- he helps them to accept themselves (Lk 22, 32),

- he is demanding and asks them to leave everything for his sake (Mk 10, 17-31),

- he is severe with hypocrisy (Lk 11, 37-53),

- he asks more questions than gives responses (Mk 8, 17-21),

- he is firm and does not allow himself to be deviated from the road (Mk 8, 33; Lk 9, 54-55).

This is a picture of Jesus, the Formator. The formation in the “following of Jesus” was not in the first place the transmission of the truth to be learnt by heart, but rather a communication of the new experience of God and of life which radiated from Jesus for the Disciples. The community which formed itself around Jesus was the expression of this new experience. Formation led the person to see with other eyes, to have other attitudes. It arose in them a new awareness concerning the mission and themselves. Yes, it made them place their feet side by side to those who were excluded. In some, it produced, “conversion” because they accepted the Good News (Mk 1, 15).

● How Jesus announces the Good News to the multitude

The fact that John was in prison impels Jesus to return and to begin the announcement of the Good News. It was an explosive and creative beginning! Jesus goes around and through all of Galilee: the villages, the towns, the city (Mk 1, 39). He visits the communities. Finally he changes residence and goes to live in Capernaum (Mk 1, 21; 2, 1), a city on the cross roads to several roads, and this facilitated the message to be diffused. He practically does not ever stop, he is always on the road. The Disciples go with him everywhere. In the fields, along the streets, on the mountain, in the desert, in the ship, in the Synagogues, in the houses. And they go with great enthusiasm!

Jesus helps the people, serving them in many ways: he drives out the evil spirits (Mk 1, 39), he cures the sick and those who are possessed by the devil (Mk 1, 34), he purifies those who are excluded because of some impurity (Mk 1, 40-45), he accepts the marginalized and relates and eats with them (Mk 2, 15). He announces, calls and convokes. He attracts, consoles and helps. This is a passion which is revealed. Passion for the Father and for the poor and abandoned people of his land. There he finds people who listen to him, he speaks and transmits the Good News. Everywhere.

In Jesus, everything is revelation which fascinates or captivates him from within! He himself is the proof, the living witness of the Kingdom. In him appears that which happens when a person allows God to reign, allows God to guide or direct his life. In his way of living and acting together with the others, Jesus transformed the nostalgia into hope! All of a sudden people understood: “This was what God wanted for his people!”

And this was the beginning of the announcement of the Good News of the Kingdom which was rapidly diffused in the villages of Galilee. In a small way, like a seed, which then grows until it becomes a big tree, under which people could rest (Mk 4, 31-32). And people took care to diffuse the News.

The people of Galilee remained impressed with the way Jesus taught. “A new teaching! Given with authority! Different from that of the scribes!” (Mk 1, 22,27). What Jesus did most was to teach (Mk 2, 13; 4, 1-2; 6, 34). And this was what he used to do (Mk 10, 1). More than fifteen times the Gospel of Mark says that Jesus taught. But Mark hardly ever says what he taught. Perhaps, he is not interested in the content? It depends on what people understand by content! To teach does not mean to teach only new truths and thus people learn them by heart. The content which Jesus has to give does not only appear in the words, but also in his gestures and in the way in which he enters into relationship with the persons. The content is never separated from the person who communicates it. Jesus was a welcoming person (Mk 6, 34). He loved the people. Goodness and love which were visible in his words formed part of the content. They constitute his temperament. A good content without goodness is like spilt milk. Mark defines the content of the teaching of Jesus as “the Good News of God” (Mk 1, 14). The Good News which Jesus proclaimed comes from God and reveals something on God. In everything which God says and does, the traits of the face of God are visible. The experience which he himself has of God, the experience of the Father is visible. To reveal God as Father is the source, the content and the purpose or end of the Good News of Jesus.

6. Pray with Psalm 23 (22)

Yahweh is my shepherd

Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

In grassy meadows he lets me lie.

By tranquil streams he leads me

to restore my spirit.

He guides me in paths of saving justice

as befits his name.

Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death

I should fear no danger,

for you are at my side.

Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me.

You prepare a table for me under the eyes of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup brims over.

Kindness and faithful love pursue me every day of my life.

I make my home in the house of Yahweh

for all time to come.

7. Final Prayer

Lord Jesus, we thank for the word that has enabled us to understand better the will of the Father. May your Spirit enlighten our actions and grant us the strength to practice that which your Word has revealed to us. May we, like Mary, your mother, not only listen to but also practice the Word. You who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

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