Jer 23:1-6
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the flock of my pasture- oracle of the Lord. Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who shepherd my people: You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds. I myself will gather the remnant of my flock from all the lands to which I have banished them and bring them back to their folds; there they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear or be terrified; none shall be missing- oracle of the Lord.
See, days are coming- oracle of the Lord-
when I will raise up a righteous branch for David;
As king he shall reign and govern wisely,
In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name to be given him:
"The Lord our justice."
Second Reading
Eph 2:13-18
But now in Christ Jesus you who were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Gospel
Mk 6:30-34
The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When the disciples embarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things."
The Word in other words
Jesus wants us to also to serve and love others selflessly and unconditionally. I feel we only need to consider how much of the basic elements of time, treasure and talents we are willing to put into our actions in order to serve others and assess the intensity of our love for them.
- Fr. Patricio R. delos Reyes, Jr,, SVD (Tacloban City)
