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My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This Sunday we are invited to focus our attention on Shepherd’s Mission. The readings place before us a comparison between good leaders and those in whom the character and qualities of leadership are sorely lacking. In the 1st reading (Jer. 23:1-6), the prophet Jeremiah bemoans the consequences of poor leadership, viz., the people who look to them for leadership, example and direction find quite the opposite and as a result, they suffer; they are scattered, driven away and lost. Seeing the seriousness of the situation, Jeremiah promises a divine intervention as the only antidote. Someone shall be born of David’s lineage to do what is just and right.
The second reading (Eph. 2:13-18) assures that peace, security and salvation will be established through the promised One and the good news will be announced to all, far and near. Through him believers will come to know God as loving Parent and ever-present Spirit.
That promised someone, of course, was Jesus who is featured in today’s gospel (Mk 6:30-34) as continuing the formation of his followers. The disciples who were sent forth on mission are returning to render an account of themselves and their efforts. As part of their leadership training, Jesus invites them to come away with him to an out-of-the way place and find their rest in Him. This away-time, this time of peace and prayer, quiet and rest in Jesus is as necessary to the disciple as breathing. Without it, the demands and challenges of Christian service and commitment can choke and stifle even the best of intentions.
Concerning the need for finding and maintaining one’s centre in God, Jesus reissues his standing invitation in today’s gospel: Come away with me to rest, to listen, to be renewed. Therefore let us return repeatedly to the one who leads and guides us, feeds and teaches us, heals and forgives us and remains ever present to empower us in all our efforts in the cause of salvation.
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