Readings: I - Jer. 23:1-6
II - Eph. 2:13-18
III - Mk. 6: 30-34
BE A SHEPHERD
Jesus is the Good Shepherd par excellence sent by the Father to establish peace and to gather the scattered flock, unlike the ruthless, reckless and selfish shepherds, is the central theme of the three readings. The Gospel passage of the day evince the care, concern and compassion of Jesus towards his sheep, the specialty traits of the Good Shepherd. Jesus out of his care and concern, takes his tired and wearied disciples just returned from the ministry and were surrounded by the people and had no leisure even to eat, to the other side of the lake by a boat. The great crowd followed them on their foot and reached the other side for healing and hearing their preaching. Jesus was moved with compassion for they were like sheep without shepherd and he resumed his work with them.
Each of us are called to be a shepherd in our ways. Shepherds of our suffering and needy neighbour. According to Jesus anyone who is in need of our love, care, concern, support, help and understanding is our neighbour (Lk. 10:25-37). When we possess a heart that moves in compassion towards the helpless and the suffering, rejoices at the success and joys of the other, defends the rights and dignity of others, cares for comfort and consolation of others and concerns for the well-being and well-living of others, instead of being cold, indifferent, apathetic and negligent, then we are truly shepherds modelled after the heart of Jesus. In this way, we gather and do not scatter, we establish peace and thereby become credible Christians too making a difference in the society that is so cold, selfish and corrupt.
