The Good Shepherd invites us to pause and hear His teachings
by Sister Carolyn Zahringer
The readings for this weekend are rather short, counting five or six verses each, but packed with possibilities. The responsorial psalm is a well-known, Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want…” Familiar and comforting words.
The Gospel issues an invitation to “come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile” (Mk. 6:31). Doesn’t that sound good? Sometimes it is attempted/planned and something unexpected turns up. It happened to Jesus (and his apostles) too! “When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things” (Mk. 6:34).
The Lord sees us where we are and however we are, and wishes to teach us many things.
What is it that the Lord wishes to “teach” us at this point of our life, this point of the summer, this day?
Thank you, Carolyn. I appreciate the reminders to step aside and rest awhile. And, that the Lord sees where we are and wishes to teach us many things.