Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

1st Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6

I will raise up for David a righteous Branch

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: “It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings,” says the Lord.

“Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing,” says the Lord.

“The days are surely 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. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.'”

2nd Reading: Epistle to the Ephesians 2:13-18

A people brought near by the blood of Christ

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

Quiet retreat; then a return to serve the crowd

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Eternal friendship

At the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin two Japanese pole vaulters were tied for second place and the silver medal when it became too dark to complete the competition. On the winners podium they were disappointed that one was asked to accept the silver medal and the other the bronze even though they had tied. They were good friends and when they returned to Japan they cut the two medals in half. They joined half the silver to half the bronze. Each of them had what they agreed to call a ‘medal of eternal friendship.’

Sport is about winning and losing but it is also about friendship. Long after the shine is gone off the medals there will be smiles on the faces of friends we make through sport. The joy of sport or the joy of living life to the full gives us the satisfaction of knowing that we did our best. There is contentment in knowing that we made good use of the gifts God gave us. The old motto was a good one: ‘Who you are is God’s gift to you; What you become is your gift to God.’

Great athletes also do what we are all called to do in today’s Gospel. ‘You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while.’ We hear also that ‘he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set about to teach them at some length.’ The shepherd has taught us many things. ‘He came to bring the good news of peace, peace to you who are far away, and peace to those near at hand’ (2nd Reading). When we disturb the peace the shepherd urges us to say sorry–to say sorry and to mean it. A failing in most of us is to include the ‘but’ when we say sorry. ‘I am sorry but you know I’m not in great form ! I am sorry but I didn’t know the full story !.’ The shepherd of peace would like the apology to be unreserved. ‘It was my fault. Please forgive me. I am sorry.’

A heartfelt apology is like the superglue of life. It can mend just about anything. (Pat Donnellan)

Shepherds for today’s people

In many areas of life there is a crisis of authority. The simple fact of holding a leadership position no longer ensures loyalty and unquestioning obedience today. The ideal leader is one who can win respect and generate trust, one who can get things done while respecting people’s dignity and rights, being aware of their feelings and showing concern for their well-being.

Shepherds, according to today’s readings, are responsible for others in their care (Jeremiah); sent to guide the people along the right path (Psalm), and show compassion on them in their weakness (Gospel). We often think of this image as applying only to our bishops–whose official role is to be “pastors” in succession to the apostles, or to our priests, the “local pastors”–but in fact the role of “shepherd” at one level or another, applies to all in any kind of leadership. We are all invited today to examine, in the light of God’s word, what our leadership is like.

The shepherds condemned by Jeremiah were the leaders of the nation, who neglected their responsibilities and let abused thrive. His message today might be to political figures, ministers and government officials at various levels, who have the task of keeping public order, defending the rights of citizens and providing a situation of fairness for all, insofar as possible. The “shepherd” image suggests that authority is not mainly the power to impose their rules on those they govern. The shepherding role is one of service rather than of dominion. Its goal is to set a good direction and enable a community to live together in peace, where each individual has dignity and an equal chance of personal fulfilment.

While the term shepherd rightly applies to spiritual leaders, sometimes Church leaders can push the image too far, seeming treat their people more like sheep that have to be driven than as intelligent human beings to be persuaded. In today’s world, the “Father knows best” attitude is not well received. Our clergy cannot rule by decree, based on formal authority, but must focus on winning minds and hearts, and try to communicate an inspiring vision of Christian living, suited to our times. They must trust the maturity and responsibility of their people, to promote a greater sharing in Church life and activity.

Besides the official leaders of Church and State, many others must be pastors at a local and domestic level. Parents and teachers are the most obvious examples of this. In practice it is they who help to develop a child’s character, laying the foundations for growth into adult maturity. They pass on values by which young people can live, and foster qualities that can grow over the years. For this they need the sensitivity and compassion shown by Jesus in today’s Gospel. “He had compassion for them and began to teach them many things.”