Welcoming the Holy
Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.
By: Sister Karen Dietz
Opening Prayer
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Beside restful waters God leads me, refreshing my soul.
Reading
Mark 6: 30-34
The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.
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.
Reflection
It would be easy to focus on Jesus’ encouragement to come away and rest a while, especially on these warm summer days. This is a time when many of us think of vacation, water, retreat, good food, company and a good book. However, Jesus was not left alone for long and he responded, not by retreating further away, but by teaching, healing and feeding.
As disciples, we are certainly called to take time to rest and refresh ourselves not for our own personal gain, but so that we might be more able to respond to the needs of a broken world. The prophet Jeremiah says that God will appoint shepherds to care for the people. This means me and it means you. How are you being drawn to be a shepherd? I think we can sometimes become complacent and just keep doing what we have been doing, at work, among friends and family. The message of today’s readings, I believe, is meant to stretch us to imagine something new, perhaps a different way of being in the world. It might be as ordinary as changing our language and tone when speaking to others or as challenging as volunteering at a food pantry, shelter or hospice. I suspect it is something in between. The quiet is a time to ask God to bring what maybe has been brewing in the back of your mind or the depths of your heart into the light of day. And though this might be scary, we remember the Psalmist message: God is OUR Shepherd.
This can be a discerning time. In your prayer, ask God to show you the way. Talk with a trusted advisor or friend. We do not live in isolation. Lean on the gifts and the people God has placed in your life.
In these days of summer, yes, take some time to slow down and rest but most important, to listen to the urgings of the Spirit. When we are quiet, it is then that we can hear God’s voice and receive the call to serve. Yes, God is our Shepherd. As we are cared for and ministered to, so must we care for and minister to others. How will you respond?
Closing Prayer
Loving God, You shepherd us throughout our lives, offering us peace, healing and comfort. Be my encouragement as step into the world, bringing Your message to others. Amen.
