Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 22
Ephesians 2:13-18
Mark 6:30-34
BE CONCERNED OF OTHERS
Last Sunday, Jesus sent his disciples into mission. Today, they come back and give account of what they had done. Jesus asks them to withdraw to a lonely place so that they could rest for a while. But before they could reach their place of rest, a large crowd was already waiting for them. The people were like without guide, exhausted, and lost. They were hungry for words of light and meaning in their lives. Thus, Jesus was moved with compassion for them. He let go his legitimate right to rest so as to satisfy the needs of the crowd. In this sense, Jesus is the good, loving, caring and tenderhearted shepherd (Mark 6:30-34).
These were the qualities that were lacking in the leaders of Israel at the time of prophet Jeremiah. Hence, in the first reading God warns them for their misdeeds. They did not take care of the flock; neither did they seek the lost nor gather them. Consequently, God promises to raise up new and faithful shepherds for his people (Jer. 23:1-6).
Another quality of a good shepherd is that he gathers the flock. He promotes togetherness, peace and unity. St Paul tells us in the second reading that Jesus, by his death on the cross, has reconciled all of us into one people. He broke the wall of division and brought both Jews and Gentiles into one family (Eph. 2:13-18).
Each one of us, whether we are the Pope, a bishop, a priest, a pastor, a parent, a leader, a doctor, a teacher, a seller, a worker, etc. must strive to be caring, sensitive to the needs and miseries of others. Sometimes, we may need to let go our rights and privileges, our cherished time of rest in order to bring relief and consolation to others. We are invited also to break the barriers of hostility, division and revenge that are tearing apart our relationships, families, churches and communities.
May the Lord bless and keep all of us. Amen
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