Jeremiah 23:1–6, Psalm 23:1–3, 3–4, 5, 6, Ephesians 2:13–18, Mark 6:30–34
Today’s gospel from Mark reminds us that we can become like sheep without our shepherd when we become entrenched in ministering to our brothers and sisters of Christ in which we can lose focus. We might attribute such talents of our ministry to our own achievements. Perhaps, we might place ourselves upon a pedestal of pride and forget the one who is leading us. Maybe there is someone in ministry that has stumbled and fallen from grace leading to confusion and making us feel as if the whole church is in disarray. Sometimes even those in ministry including our clergy can lose focus and become burnt out misplacing Jesus as the sheep gone astray. We may become like Martha and Mary where we are task oriented and get off track, losing focus like Martha instead of resting and enjoying the Lord’s presence like Mary (Lk. 10:38-42). As the prophet Jeremiah says in the first reading, “Woe to the Shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture says the Lord” (Jer. 23:1). As Saint Paul reminds us we should not be distracted by getting off track for he reminds us what Jesus came to do as the Good Shepherd! “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” (Eph. 2:17-18). It is Jesus that asks us in today’s gospel to not get lost when we are overwhelmed by the crowd. “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 (Mk. 6:31).
The weeklong National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana that took place recently reminds us that our Shepherd, Jesus, is not far away (https://www.eucharisticcongress.org). We should take some time this week to find time to get away and rest in His presence in the Eucharistic chapel or in silent adoration. When it seems like we are being led astray or we are in need of rest in our ministry, ask for strength before Jesus truly alive in the holy host. The Holy Spirit will lead us back to the Good Shepherd, Jesus, if we take the time to rest and meditate by getting away in prayer.
The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want (Ps. 23).
StreetEvangelist 