*** 1st Reading *** 

Jeremiah 23:1-6

 “Woe to the shepherds 

Who mislead and scatter the sheep of my pasture!”  This is the message of Yahweh, God of Israel, to the shepherds in charge of my people, “You have scat­tered my sheep and driven them away instead of caring for them. Now I will deal with you because of your evil deeds.

 I will gather the remnant of my sheep from every land to which I have driven them and I will bring them back to the grasslands. They will be fruitful and increase in number.   I will appoint shepherds who will take care of them. No longer will they fear or be terrified. No one will be lost.”

 Yahweh further says, “The day is coming when I will raise up a king who is David’s righteous successor. He will rule wisely and govern with justice and righteousness.  That will be a grandiose era when Judah will enjoy peace and Israel will live in safety. He will be called Yahweh-our-justice!”

 

Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6(1)

The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

 

*** 2nd Reading ***

Ephesians 2:13-18

 But now, in Christ Jesus and by his blood, you who were once far off have come near. For Christ is our peace, he who has made the two peoples one,   destroying in his own flesh the wall—the hatred—which separated us. He abolished the Law with its commands and precepts. He made peace in uniting the two peoples in him, creating out of the two one New Man.   

He destroyed hatred and reconciled us both to God through the cross, making the two one body.  He came to proclaim peace; peace to you who were far off, peace to the Jews who were near.  Through him we—the two peo­ples—approach the Father in one Spirit.

 

 

**** Gospel ****     

Mark 6:30-34

The apostles returned and reported to Jesus all they had done and taught.   Then he said to them, “Go off by yourselves to a remote place and have some rest.” For there were so many people coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat.   And they went away in the boat to a secluded area by themselves.

 But people saw them leaving and many could guess where they were go­ing. So, from all the towns they hurried there on foot, arriving ahead of them.  As Jesus went ashore he saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them for they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began a long teaching session with them.

 

Gospel Reflection

Read:

The missionary activities of the Twelve is a success. Reporting back to Jesus, they are given a time off and go to a secluded place for many people come and go making rest impossible. But people guessed where they are going and went there ahead on foot. Jesus had compassion and began a long teaching session with them.

Reflect:

Mission is not just about works and activities. Rest is part of doing mission. It is in this period that one can make an evaluation of what was done, recover our energy and refresh the creative spirit that facilitated the success of mission. Jesus knows the rejuvenating power of rest.

That is why He asks His disciples to go to secluded place by themselves. Work without rest will inevitably take its toll. But rest has to wait. The need of the people is too great and immediate. So they were followed. The disciples do not have the space to hide for rest.

And this is where we can see why Jesus earned the love and trust of His disciples. He took over and did not compromise the well-being of his disciples. He took it upon Himself to teach the crowds. And so, His disciples had their needed rest, and the need of the crowd is met because Jesus is willing to do His shave of service to others.

Respond:

When was the last time that you took a break to rest and recreate? Self-care is now an important component of our life. You may want to lay down the things you want to do as part of your self-care regimen this 2021. May our health both in mind, body and spirit take off this year for the better.