Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 107
Lectionary: 107
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.”
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 PsalmPS 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.
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 2EPH 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.
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.
AlleluiaJN 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMK 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.
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.
Scripture Study, July
19, 2015
July 19, 2015
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?
First Reading: Jeremiah 23: 1-6
1 Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of
my pasture, says the LORD. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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.
5 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.
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.
6 In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
“The LORD our justice.”
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
“The LORD our justice.”
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.
Second Reading: Ephesians 2:13-18
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have
become near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down
the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, 15abolishing 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, 16 and might reconcile both with God, in
one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far off and
peace to those who were near, 18for through him we
both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
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.
Gospel Reading: Mark 6: 30-34
30 The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all
they had done and taught. 31 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. 32 So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted
place. 33 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.
34 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.
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.
Meditation: "Come away and rest a
while"
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.
Stray sheep must be brought back lest they die
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.
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.
God himself leads us like a good shepherd
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).
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.
Jesus is the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls
Peter the apostle called Jesus the Shepherd 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?
Peter the apostle called Jesus the Shepherd 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."
SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SUNDAY, JULY 19, MARK 6:30-34
(Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 23; Ephesians 2:13-18)
SUNDAY, JULY 19, MARK 6:30-34
(Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 23; Ephesians 2:13-18)
KEY VERSE: His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd" (v 34).
TO KNOW: When Jesus' disciples returned from their mission, they reported all they had said and done in his name. Like Jesus, the disciples were servants of the people. As the disciples ministered to the people, so many came to them that they did not have time to eat. As a wise shepherd of his flock, Jesus knew that the disciples must tend to their bodily as well as their spiritual needs. He invited them to come with him to a secluded place in order to rest. The crowds saw Jesus going away so they went around the lake on foot. When Jesus and his men arrived by boat to what they thought was a "deserted place," the people were already there to meet them. Instead of being annoyed by his inconvenience, Jesus took pity on them for they were "like sheep without a shepherd." Ignoring his own need for rest, Jesus began to "teach them many things" (v. 34).
TO LOVE: Do I remember to take time for rest and relaxation as I serve God's people?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be sensitive to the needs of those to whom I minister.
Sunday 19 July 2015
16th
Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Jeremiah
23:1-6. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want—Ps 22(23).
Ephesians 2:13-18. Mark 6:30-34.
They were
like sheep without a shepherd.
Different
interpretations of the Good News can confuse.
Over-zealous
shepherds become preoccupied with their own particular way of tending their
sheep. Alternative ways cannot be seen to be valid. Vision is obscured and
lost. Christ drops out of the picture. Scandal ensues.
Lord, I
feel strongly about something: somebody else feels just as strongly the other
way. We cannot see eye to eye. I lose sight of you, and I lose interest in you.
People who look up to me become confused. Give me the humility to withdraw from
my uncompleted task to be alone with you, the arbiter of peace and love.
Your
disciples had worked too hard. They had become impatient in their enthusiasm.
Their vision became distorted. You called them to rest. Bid me rest from my
exhausting labours. Renew me with fresh experience of your love. Re-send me
into your vineyard, so that, having experienced the harmony of your limitless
care for me, I may sow your peace among others.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
Everlasting Flame
|
Love is real. At the center of this reality is a divine Person,
the source of all human love whose outstretched arms show me what true love
looks like. This immense love is deeper and wider than the whole universe, yet
it stoops low to enter my poor soul and ignite a flame within me that will burn
forever.
July
19
St. Mary MacKillop
(1842-1909)
St. Mary MacKillop
(1842-1909)
If St.
Mary MacKillop were alive today, she would be a household name. It’s not that
she sought the limelight. On the contrary, she simply wanted to serve the poor
wherever she found them in her native Australia. But along the way, she
managed to arouse the ire of some rather powerful churchmen. One even
excommunicated her for a time.
Born in Melbourne in 1842 to parents who had emigrated from Scotland, Mary grew up in a family that faced constant financial struggles. As a young woman she was drawn to religious life but could not find an existing order of Sisters that met her needs. In 1860 she met Father Julian Woods, who became her spiritual director. Together they founded a new community of women—the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, also known as the Josephite Sisters. Its members were to staff schools especially for poor children, as well as orphanages, and do other works of charity.
Born in Melbourne in 1842 to parents who had emigrated from Scotland, Mary grew up in a family that faced constant financial struggles. As a young woman she was drawn to religious life but could not find an existing order of Sisters that met her needs. In 1860 she met Father Julian Woods, who became her spiritual director. Together they founded a new community of women—the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, also known as the Josephite Sisters. Its members were to staff schools especially for poor children, as well as orphanages, and do other works of charity.
As the
congregation grew, so did Mary MacKillop’s problems. Her priest-friend proved
unreliable in many ways and his responsibilities for direction of the Sisters
were removed. Meanwhile, Mary had the support of some local bishops as she and
her Sisters went about their work. But the bishop in South Australia, aging and
relying on others for advice, briefly excommunicated Mary—charging her with disobedience—and
dispensed 50 of her Sisters from their vows. In truth, the bishop’s quarrel was
about power and who had authority over whom. He ultimately rescinded his order
of excommunication.
Mary insisted that her congregation should be governed by an elected mother general answerable to Rome, not to the local bishop. (There were also disputes about whether or not the congregation could own property.) In the end, Rome proved to be Mary’s best source of support. After a long wait, official approval of the congregation—and how it was to be governed—came from Pope Leo XIII.
Despite her struggles with Church authorities, Mary MacKillop and her Sisters were able to offer social services that few, if any, government agencies in Australia could. They served Protestants and Catholics alike. They worked among the aborigines. They taught in schools and orphanages and served unmarried mothers.
Money, actually the lack of it, was a constant worry. But the Sisters, who begged from door to door, were bolstered by faith and by the conviction that their struggles were opportunities to grow closer to God.
By the time Mary was approaching the end of her life, the congregation was thriving. She died in 1909 at the age of 67. Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1995. In 2010, when Pope Benedict XVI canonized her, she became Australia’s first saint.
Mary insisted that her congregation should be governed by an elected mother general answerable to Rome, not to the local bishop. (There were also disputes about whether or not the congregation could own property.) In the end, Rome proved to be Mary’s best source of support. After a long wait, official approval of the congregation—and how it was to be governed—came from Pope Leo XIII.
Despite her struggles with Church authorities, Mary MacKillop and her Sisters were able to offer social services that few, if any, government agencies in Australia could. They served Protestants and Catholics alike. They worked among the aborigines. They taught in schools and orphanages and served unmarried mothers.
Money, actually the lack of it, was a constant worry. But the Sisters, who begged from door to door, were bolstered by faith and by the conviction that their struggles were opportunities to grow closer to God.
By the time Mary was approaching the end of her life, the congregation was thriving. She died in 1909 at the age of 67. Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1995. In 2010, when Pope Benedict XVI canonized her, she became Australia’s first saint.
Quote:
“ Have courage no matter what your crosses are.”--Mother Mary of the Cross (St. Mary MacKillop)
“ Have courage no matter what your crosses are.”--Mother Mary of the Cross (St. Mary MacKillop)
LECTIO: 16TH
SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (B)
Lectio:
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Jesus feels compassion for the people
The Banquet of Life – Jesus invites to sharing
Mark 6, 30-34
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.
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.
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?
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.
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).
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!”
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!”
b) 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).
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 theKingdom. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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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