GOSPEL
Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd
and Doubleday & Company Inc.
The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length.
(Mark 6:30–34)
DID YOU KNOW?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
- The image of the shepherd is often used in the Hebrew Scriptures to describe the relationship between God and his people Israel. They are the flock whom he will gather and protect.
- Our use of the term pastoral comes from this image of Christ as the shepherd of his flock.
- Jesus regularly took time to be alone, to pray and to contemplate God. Here he invites his followers to do the same.
- This is the only place in his gospel where Mark refers to the disciples as ‘apostles’.
EXPLORING THE WORD
In last week’s gospel, we read of the disciples being sent out on their mission to preach, cast out devils and cure the sick. Their mission has been a great success and now they excitedly return to tell Jesus of ‘all they had done and taught’. They are weary but still the people come. They are so busy that they don’t even have time to eat! Jesus is aware of their needs and insists that they find a quiet place to rest. But the crowds too have their needs and they follow Jesus and the disciples, yearning for answers to their problems. Jesus is also moved with compassion when he sees the needs of the people. They are like lost sheep who are desperately searching for truth but don’t know where to find it, so he sets himself the task of teaching them and bringing them closer to that truth. Jesus meets the needs of both the disciples and the crowds and thus becomes the ‘good shepherd’ who will look after his flock.
- In what ways is Jesus meeting your needs at the moment?
- You could introduce different styles of prayer, particularly meditation, which catechumens could practice or develop.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
- Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the many competing demands on your time and your attention? How do you find solitude and quiet in the midst of this busyness?
- Have you ever felt like a ‘sheep without a shepherd’, a little lost and unsure?
- How eager are you in pursuing Christ? Are you hurrying towards faith?
- Make time this week to be alone to reflect on your journey; to rest before God.
- Pray the well-known and loved Psalm 23 often this week:
The Lord is my shepherd,
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me
to revive my drooping spirit.
He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.
You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil,
My cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.
SHARING THE TRADITION
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God's word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
One of the symbols of a bishop is the shepherd’s crook. This symbolises his role as the pastor of his people. The Pope, as Bishop of Rome, is first among the bishops.
- Explain the structure of the Church, and how it is organised into dioceses and archdioceses presided over by bishops and archbishops.
- Explain the role carried out by cardinals.
While the bishops are the principal pastors of a diocese, they are assisted in their task by priests and pastoral associates who work at a more local (parish) level. The pastoral work in a parish could not be carried out without the enormous work done by volunteers from within the community. As Christians, we are all called to take responsibility for caring for each other.
- Explain the structure of your parish and the various pastoral ministries through which your community cares for each other.
- You could invite some of the people who work in those ministries to talk about their particular responsibilities.
- Invite candidates to consider the people for whom they have ‘pastoral responsibility’. How do they carry this out?
SYMBOLS AND IMAGES
Jesus invites the disciples to take time out to rest after the exertions of their mission. All the major monotheistic religions have a day that is set aside as ‘a day of rest’. While Jews, Christians and Muslims designate a different day for this rest, all endorse the idea of taking time out from a busy working life to reconnect with those things that are truly important, developing our relationship with the divine.
LIVING THE WORD
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
- Invite people to consider how they can become involved in the life and pastoral work of the parish. Are there particular ministries to which they may feel drawn? What opportunities are there for involvement?
- Use an image of Jesus the Good Shepherd as a focus for prayer. Pray for all those who have pastoral responsibility within the wider Church and within your own community. Pray for each other and for those for whom you have pastoral responsibility. Recite Psalm 23 together or perhaps sing it. Conclude with the blessing in the RCIA at §97E.