July 21, 2024
Lectionary Readings: Jer 23:1-6; Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Eph 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34.
Theme: Resting with Jesus…
How is it that our world seems to be spinning faster and faster with every passing year? Our lives just seem to get busier and busier! Even with all of the progress we have made, we seem to have less time than ever!
As you know, many of our modern inventions were created to give us more time. Dishwashers, for example, washing machines, microwaves, cars and expensive phones. These are great inventions, and I am thankful to have them. But they are supposed to help us to do more in less time. So why is it that we seem to have less free time than ever before? There are lots of smart people thinking about this question, and they are doing some fascinating, important work. But there are no easy answers. The COVID-19 pandemic history seemed to slow the world down for a little while, for many people (although not for everyone). But now, with the pandemic (hopefully!) winding down, we seem to be getting back to business as usual. The world is speeding up again: the war between Russia and Ukraine and the China’s taking of the territory of the WPS (West Philippine Sea) without respecting the International Law and more. With all that in mind, this seems like a good time to focus on the invitation that Jesus offers in today’s gospel reading, to his first disciples, to “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while, resting with Jesus.”
The great Images from the world of shepherds dominate today’s readings. Mark speaks of the return of the disciples from their missionary journey (Mk 6:7-13), with Jesus encouraging them to come away to a “deserted” place for rest, a time apart, which ends up being short lived, as crowds stream out and arrive before them. Jesus then is moved with pity for the people, for they were “like sheep without a shepherd”, and he sets out to teach them. What does Jesus do in our Gospel passage? “And he began to teach them many things” (v. 34b). Interestingly, what follows is that the disciples (uncaring shepherds) want Jesus to send the crowd away because the place is deserted and they need to feed themselves. Jesus, the good and caring shepherd, tells them: “‘you give them something to eat.’” We know that Jesus feeds the crowds by multiplying the loaves and fish. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians refers to being lost and scattered when he says: “Now in Christ Jesus, you who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. He is our peace because he has made his followers one, and has broken down the dividing door of hostility, making peace and reconciling us to God in one body through the cross”(vv.13-14).
Jesus preached peace to the ones who were near and far off so that all of us would have access to the Spirit and the Father” (v. 18). Paul is also referring to both Jews and gentiles, reflecting on what actually happened in the early Church of his day. Though the first followers of Jesus were all Jews, gentiles soon joined them and the early Church was a mixed community.Through Christ, gentiles became members of the Covenant community. They did not become Jews, but Christians. The Jewish community today retains its own autonomy and distinctiveness, yet the Church in our day “remembers that she draws sustenance from the root of that well cultivated olive tree onto which she has been grafted the wild shoots, the gentiles” (Nostra Aetate).
The Responsorial Psalm 23 sums up the qualities of a good shepherd whom the LORD God is for Israel. Jesus Christ, the Anointed Savior, the ‘righteous Branch’ tells us clearly in John 10: 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep so let’s rest with Jesus without any problems just trust to him”
For Reflection and Discussion: 1. Are you still looking for the perfect place to rest? 2. Are you aware of the local issues and international conflicts? How do you deal with it? Still looking for Jesus?
Bibliography: “Prophecy and Prophets” in Etz Hayim, Torah and Commentary (New York, 2001); Harrington, Sacra Pagina: The Gospel of Mark (Minnesota, 2002, McKenzie, J.L. Dictionary of the Bible (New York: 1965), http://gcatholic.org/Catholic Study Bible (Senior D.);https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Dunhill Malunar Timkang, Israel, Bat Kol Alumnus: 2023
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