First Reading (Hebrews 13,15-17.20-21).
Reading of the Letter to the Hebrews.
Brothers, through Jesus, let us offer God a perennial sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that celebrate his name. Do not forget good deeds and communion, for these are the sacrifices that please God. Obey your leaders and follow their instructions, because they care for you as those who must give an account. May you do it with joy, and not with complaints, which would not be good for you. May the God of peace, who raised up from the dead the one who became, through the blood of an eternal covenant, the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, enable you to do all good things, to do his will; may he accomplish in us that which is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen!
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (Mark 6,30-34).
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, the apostles met with Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come alone to a deserted place, and rest a little.” There were, in fact, so many people arriving and leaving that they didn’t even have time to eat. So they went alone, by boat, to a deserted and remote place. Many saw them leave and recognized it was them. Leaving all the cities, they ran on foot, and arrived there before them. When Jesus disembarked, he saw a large crowd and felt compassion, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them many things.
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
My brothers and sisters, I invite you to imagine for a moment the scene described in today’s Gospel. The disciples, tired after so much work on the mission, return to Jesus to report everything they had done and taught. They were exhausted, needing a moment of rest and peace. Jesus, seeing their condition, says: “Come alone to a deserted place and rest a while.”
This invitation from Jesus resonates deeply in our hearts. How many times do we find ourselves worn down by the rush of everyday life, by the responsibilities of work, family, or even by the challenges of our faith? The truth is that we all need moments to recharge, physically and spiritually.
But the scene doesn’t end there. When Jesus and the disciples leave for a deserted place, a large crowd follows them. Jesus could have felt irritated or overwhelmed with yet another demand, but that’s not what happens. The text tells us that He had compassion on the crowd, “because they were like sheep without a shepherd.”
This passage presents us with two fundamental realities: the need to find rest in God and the importance of active compassion in our Christian lives. Let’s explore these realities in light of the First Reading and the Gospel.
In the passage from the Letter to the Hebrews, we hear a call to offer God “a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.” This expression, “sacrifice of praise,” reminds us that as Christians we are invited to live a life that glorifies God in all circumstances. This doesn’t just mean singing praises, but offering our actions, our work, and even our rest as an act of worship.
But how can we offer a sacrifice of praise in a world so full of demands? The answer lies in the example of Jesus. He teaches us that, even in the midst of our responsibilities, it is essential to find time to be alone with God. Let us think of our relationship with God as a garden. If we don’t take the time to water, prune and care for it, it will wither. So is our soul.
Jesus not only invites the disciples to rest, but he also sympathizes with the crowd that follows him. He sees people as sheep without a shepherd, hungry for direction, hope, and care. Here, Jesus teaches us another important lesson: even when we are tired, there is room for compassion.
Let’s reflect on this image of “sheep without a shepherd.” In today’s world, how many people live like this? Lost, without direction, searching for meaning in fleeting things. Perhaps we ourselves have felt this way, disoriented and overwhelmed. And it is at this moment that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, calls us close to Him, offering us rest and guidance.
Now, returning to the First Reading, we are reminded that God equips us with everything necessary to do His will. The author of the letter to the Hebrews prays that “the God of peace, who brought back from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep” may perfect us in every good thing to accomplish His will. This prayer is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in the mission God entrusts to us. He gives us the strength, gifts and grace to live according to His purpose.
A metaphor that can help us understand this idea is that of a potter molding clay. God, like the potter, patiently molds us, transforming our weaknesses into strengths, our failures into opportunities for growth. He empowers us to be instruments of His love in the world.
But how to put all this into practice? How do we live a life that balances resting in God with compassion for others? Here are three steps we can take away from today’s readings:
1. Prioritize spiritual rest.
Jesus teaches us that we cannot give what we do not have. Just as we need food to sustain our bodies, we need time with God to sustain our souls. Set aside moments in your routine for prayer, meditation on the Word and participation in the Eucharist. These are the oases that strengthen us for the journey.
2. Cultivate active compassion.
When Jesus saw the crowd, He didn’t just feel sorry; He acted. Compassion means entering into another’s pain, but also doing something about it. Who are the “sheep without a shepherd” in your life? It could be a lonely neighbor, a co-worker who needs support, or even someone in your own family.
3. Trust in divine empowerment.
The First Reading reminds us that God is the one who equips us to do His will. We don’t need to be perfect or have all the answers; we just need to be available. God will work in us and through us.
Let us also think about the beauty of the Eucharist, where we find the perfect synthesis of these lessons. At Mass, we are fed by the Word and Body of Christ, receiving the spiritual rest we need. But Mass does not end when we leave the church. Rather, we are sent into the world to be witnesses of God’s love, bringing His compassion to everyone we meet.
To conclude, I leave you with a story that illustrates the heart of today’s readings. A missionary in Africa was once asked by a local young man why he devoted so much time to caring for the sick and teaching children, even when he was tired. The missionary replied: “Because Christ took care of me when I was lost. Now, I want to be an extension of His care for others.”
Let this also be our answer. May we find in Christ the rest we so need and, at the same time, be instruments of His compassion in the world. Let us always remember: Jesus is our Good Shepherd, the one who guides us, strengthens us and sends us to make a difference.
May the God of peace, who brought the great shepherd of the sheep from the dead, perfect us to carry out His will. And may we offer, with joy and love, the sacrifice of praise that He deserves. Amen.
