READ SCRIPTURE (Mark6:30-34, 53-56)
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As Jesus went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
. . .
When Jesus and the disciples had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
REFLECT ON THE READING
We are all like sheep without a shepherd. Indeed, our whole world society has leaders and rulers—for whom Jeremiah uses the classic Old Testament metaphor of shepherds" — that scatter, divide, and alienate us from each other, creating hostility. We are easily tempted to live without hope and as if there were no God in the world. But God promises to gather and lead the flock until it comes to fruitfulness and fearlessness. Fulfilling that promise, Jesus comes into our midst with compassion. He teaches; he prepares a table before us; he heals the many sick; and he raises up other shepherds among us to give us these very things from him and from his death and resurrection. With these actions God shepherds the scattered flock. If we are alone, simply hearing the word of Christ leads and restores us. In assembly, by the power of the Spirit, the word, the bread, and the peace of Jesus Christ again and again gather us into unity. We are made the house of the Lord, the dwelling-place of God. And we are sent to help lead others out of division, mutual hostility, and fear.
PRAY TOGETHER
O God, powerful and compassionate, you shepherd your people, faithfully feeding and protecting us. Heal each of us, and make us a whole people, that we may embody the justice and peace of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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