Gospel of Mark, chapter 6:34

Today’s scripture passage from Mark, chapter 6, is a brief but touching description of how the good shepherd acts. Jesus’ apostles had just returned from their journey. Surely they had much to tell Him, much to ask. Surely Jesus had much to say. So Jesus takes His apostles away to be alone with them. The crowd follows them. Upon seeing the crowd of people, Jesus is filled with compassion. So “He began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34).

What Jesus does with the crowd gives us a hint at what He sees to be the heart of shepherding: He begins to teach them. For Jesus, sharing the good news, is the shepherd’s primary task. In His teaching (which is also confirmed by miracles), Jesus gathers the crowd who are like lost sheep.

In a very special way, today’s scripture celebrates what it means to be one, to be gathered together with Jesus as our shepherd. Only when we gather to worship in His name, are we what we say we are: God’s own people, the flock the Lord tends. That is why worship is so important. We cannot be sheep of the shepherd without being part of His gathering. Give some thought to this aspect of Jesus’ ministry of gathering His people to worship as He did at the last supper when He gathered His disciples to celebrate the first Eucharist (Mass).

Fr. Hugh Duffy

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