THEY HAD NO LEISURE…

Jeremiah 23:1-6

1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says the LORD. 2 Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the LORD. 3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply.
4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, says the LORD.
5 “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’

Ephesians 2:13-18

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end.17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18 for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Mark 6:30-34

30 The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
32 And they went away in the boat to alonely place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them.
34 As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.  

MEDITATION

THE PROPHET JEREMIAH issues a warning to the leaders of the Hebrew community who have allowed the splitting of the flock because of their lack of decisive leadership. A new righteous obedient leadership is promised who shall be fruitful, not be afraid of the enemy and save the people of God.

St PAUL seek to convince the former godless community of Ephesus that they are members of the body of Christ  which came about by His death and ressurection. Walls that previously seperated the different pagan communities from the Hebrew people have been broken inaugurating one body of believers with Christ as it’s head. 

THE GOSPEL READING: Upon returning from a successful mission, Jesus calls the apostles to take time out to rest and be restored. No sooner after their rest the apostles were swamped by a flock of people who were in desperate need of direction. 
Pastors, families and individuals can become so caught up in our day to day responsibilities that we can stray from our calling as unified members of the body of Christ. Moreover our continues business as parents, spouse and teachers can derail our own journey towards righteousness and mission of discovering God’s plan for us.

To be sure, that which we do in the name of the Lord should be our response to His plan rather than our plan that we want Christ to rubber stamp! We need to take time out for some soul searching, rebuilding our marriage and to refocus our calling.A spiritual retreat with a Church approved spiritual director is recommended and or a short sabbatical with leisure time may be needed to restore our inner peace so that we don’t lose our way in the midtst of too many demands.  

LET US PRAY: Psalms 23:1-6

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; 2 he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.

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