To be shepherds of one another
In love, kindness, joy, hope, faith and freedom
JEREMIAH 23:1–6; EPHESIANS 2:13–18; MARK 6:30–34 (The three readings of Sunday, 21st July)
After creating human beings in the first chapter of Genesis, God gives the first blessing. “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” For a long term we understood those words like subdue and rule as domination. Today we understand it as shepherding. So, the first blessing was to be a shepherd. This invitation is to all of us, to be shepherds of one another and of the creation. Today’s readings continue to remind us of the same invitation.
Through prophet Jeremiah, God is calling against false shepherds. God is telling them that he will give shepherds to the people who will truly shepherd them. The model for shepherds is the good shepherd; who takes care of the sheep uniquely. Shepherd knows each sheep. Just as parents treat their children differently according to their needs though they love each of them equally, shepherd also is invited to care for the sheep according to their needs.
Paul reminds us of another quality of the shepherd in the second reading. He does everything that the life of the sheep flourishes. Through his life, death and resurrection, Jesus is not only offering us a life, but life in its abundance. Can we receive this gift from the shepherd? He reconciled us. Can we live reconciliation? He gives us freedom. Can we enjoy it and appreciate the freedom of others? He loves us. Can we try to love beyond our boundaries?
In the gospel, two of the further aspects of shepherds are seen. Jesus was tired, but when he saw that the people were without shepherds, he gets into the act. Shepherding is not a fixed job of 8 to 4 or anything. I act when it is required.
He also invites his disciples to take appropriate rest. It includes physical rest. In Indian culture, we always don’t appreciate physical rest. Take rest when possible and give the same also to the people (especially workers) under your care. Jesus also means to tell us of our emotional and spiritual struggles we carry along. Surrender it to the Lord; if required take the help of appropriate people that the surrender becomes possible.
The readings of the day invites us to be shepherds of one another. But let us always fulfil this role of shepherds with love, joy kindness and a lot of faith and hope, but always respecting the freedom of others.
