FIRST READING
“May the God of peace equip you with everything good.”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 13:15-17.20-21)
Brethren: Through Jesus let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly for that would be of no advantage to you. Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 23:1-3a. 3b-4.5.6 (R. 1)
R/. The Lord is my shepherd;
There is nothing I shall want.
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;
He revives my soul. R.
He guides me along the right path,
For the sake of his name.
Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death,
No evil would I fear, for you are with me.
Your crook and your staff will give me comfort. R.
You have prepared a table before me
In the sight of my foes
My head you have anointed with oil;
My cup is overflowing. R.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s Own house shall I dwell
for length of days unending. R.
ALLELUIA John 10:27
Alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“They were like sheep without a shepherd.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 6:30-34)
At that time: The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, 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 lonely place by themselves. Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. As he landed he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
The Apostles came back from their mission and briefed Jesus about all they taught and did. Jesus wanted them to go to a lonely place and have some rest as they were tired. But the crowd reached the destination before they could. This is typical of people. They are eager to make sacrifices and take risks to get whatever they dearly cherish. This they did and deprived the apostles of their rest. Jesus, who wanted to have privacy with them, rescinded his decision. He had compassion on the crowd and began to teach “for they were like sheep without a shepherd”. Sometimes we have to set aside our programmes and schedules to reach out to humanity or to God. For in giving we receive, and with the Lord by our side, we can rest assured of our strength being renewed.Don’t lose hope.