Readings for Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21
Through him (Jesus) (then), let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise,
that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have;
God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.
Obey your leaders and defer to them,
for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account,
that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow,
for that would be of no advantage to you.
May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great shepherd of the sheep
by the Blood of the eternal covenant,
furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will.
May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever (and ever). Amen.
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Commentary on Heb 13:15-17, 20-21
This selection from Hebrews gives us a definition of the kind of sacrifice to be offered by Christians; praise from the lips and works of love and kindness. The sacrificial offering of communal sharing and love reflects the teaching from the psalms (see Psalm 50: 14, Psalm 51: 18-19) This is followed by the beginning of the closing salutary prayer as the Pauline author ends the letter with a blessing.
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Responsorial Psalm:[4] Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
R. (see 10) (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Psalm 23 is probably the most quoted Psalm in Holy Scripture and perhaps one of the most commonly used of all the scripture. It is both a song of praise and a prayer in difficult times. The imagery of the Good Shepherd is also found in the exodus (see Isaiah 40:11; 49:10; Jeremiah 31:10). It is used extensively in both the Old Testament and the New Testament (see Ezekiel 34:11-16; John 10:11-18).
The reference in the third strophe above “You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes” “occurs in an exodus context in Psalm 78:19. As my enemies watch: my enemies see that I am God's friend and guest. Oil: a perfumed ointment made from olive oil, used especially at banquets (Psalm 104:15; Matthew 26:7; Luke 7:37, 46; John 12:2).”[5]
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Gospel: 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 Jesus 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 6:30-34
This passage from St. Mark’s Gospel continues the story of the disciples as they return from being sent, and give Jesus a report of their efforts. Now we hear the disciples called “Apostles” for the first time being gathered to give an account of what they had accomplished. They will not assume this formal title until after Pentecost but St. Mark uses it here perhaps because they have now become Christ’s emissaries, not just his students.
They go off to a deserted place to rest but are followed by a large crowd, which means, since they were in a boat, they did not sail far from shore since the crowd knew where they were putting in and were there to meet them. The Lord looked at this new Exodus and saw them as sheep without a shepherd – He began to teach them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
Of all the possible elements of scripture available today, what strikes us most is Jesus response to the Apostles upon their return from the mission upon which he had sent them. His first concern was that that go off “…to a deserted place and rest a while.” This is important. The active Christian has developed a mind set of service to others. This attribute is clearly seen by others and the more that is done by the giving disciple, the more seems to be asked.
We look at the disciples (now called Apostles for they have started the work of spreading the Gospel). When they came back after their successful mission we are told “People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.” If the Lord had not insisted, clearly those who wished to see hear and touch these holy agents would have (inadvertently) brought them to an untimely end.
While for those who minister to others the situation may not be as extreme in terms of numbers, the consequences of not being able to say "no" are similar. If that person does not take time for her or his self, alone with God to recharge and refresh themselves, what is known as burn-out (or worse) will almost certainly occur.
It is for this reason that clergy are required to make an annual retreat. The wise pastor will recognize that pastoral staff members should also be given this requirement and many do. However, what about the zealous member of the community of faith? Too often no one is watching out for them. Too often they are not only, not offered the advice to "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" but are constantly drawn upon for additional service.
For all who work diligently at practicing the faith, the message from Jesus today is clear. You must take time to be alone with the Father; to shut out the cries of those who would demand your attention and to listen only to his voice. It is only in this way that the great faith that pours out of you onto others may be refilled. It is a good lesson for all of us today, now we only need to follow it.
Pax
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21
Through him (Jesus) (then), let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise,
that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have;
God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind.
Obey your leaders and defer to them,
for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account,
that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow,
for that would be of no advantage to you.
May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great shepherd of the sheep
by the Blood of the eternal covenant,
furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will.
May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever (and ever). Amen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Heb 13:15-17, 20-21
This selection from Hebrews gives us a definition of the kind of sacrifice to be offered by Christians; praise from the lips and works of love and kindness. The sacrificial offering of communal sharing and love reflects the teaching from the psalms (see Psalm 50: 14, Psalm 51: 18-19) This is followed by the beginning of the closing salutary prayer as the Pauline author ends the letter with a blessing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm:[4] Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
R. (see 10) (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Psalm 23 is probably the most quoted Psalm in Holy Scripture and perhaps one of the most commonly used of all the scripture. It is both a song of praise and a prayer in difficult times. The imagery of the Good Shepherd is also found in the exodus (see Isaiah 40:11; 49:10; Jeremiah 31:10). It is used extensively in both the Old Testament and the New Testament (see Ezekiel 34:11-16; John 10:11-18).
The reference in the third strophe above “You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes” “occurs in an exodus context in Psalm 78:19. As my enemies watch: my enemies see that I am God's friend and guest. Oil: a perfumed ointment made from olive oil, used especially at banquets (Psalm 104:15; Matthew 26:7; Luke 7:37, 46; John 12:2).”[5]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: 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 Jesus 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 6:30-34
This passage from St. Mark’s Gospel continues the story of the disciples as they return from being sent, and give Jesus a report of their efforts. Now we hear the disciples called “Apostles” for the first time being gathered to give an account of what they had accomplished. They will not assume this formal title until after Pentecost but St. Mark uses it here perhaps because they have now become Christ’s emissaries, not just his students.
They go off to a deserted place to rest but are followed by a large crowd, which means, since they were in a boat, they did not sail far from shore since the crowd knew where they were putting in and were there to meet them. The Lord looked at this new Exodus and saw them as sheep without a shepherd – He began to teach them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
Of all the possible elements of scripture available today, what strikes us most is Jesus response to the Apostles upon their return from the mission upon which he had sent them. His first concern was that that go off “…to a deserted place and rest a while.” This is important. The active Christian has developed a mind set of service to others. This attribute is clearly seen by others and the more that is done by the giving disciple, the more seems to be asked.
We look at the disciples (now called Apostles for they have started the work of spreading the Gospel). When they came back after their successful mission we are told “People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.” If the Lord had not insisted, clearly those who wished to see hear and touch these holy agents would have (inadvertently) brought them to an untimely end.
While for those who minister to others the situation may not be as extreme in terms of numbers, the consequences of not being able to say "no" are similar. If that person does not take time for her or his self, alone with God to recharge and refresh themselves, what is known as burn-out (or worse) will almost certainly occur.
It is for this reason that clergy are required to make an annual retreat. The wise pastor will recognize that pastoral staff members should also be given this requirement and many do. However, what about the zealous member of the community of faith? Too often no one is watching out for them. Too often they are not only, not offered the advice to "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" but are constantly drawn upon for additional service.
For all who work diligently at practicing the faith, the message from Jesus today is clear. You must take time to be alone with the Father; to shut out the cries of those who would demand your attention and to listen only to his voice. It is only in this way that the great faith that pours out of you onto others may be refilled. It is a good lesson for all of us today, now we only need to follow it.
Pax
Please Pray for Mary Ann
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture used is “Sermon of Christ at the Genezareth Lake” by David Vinckboons, 1623
[3] of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana
[4] Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[5] See NAB footnote on Ps 23:5
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