Feb 6,, 2005

Our Shepherd Mk 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.

Jesus finds that he can not have rest in a quiet place because the people have pursued him. His heart is moved with pity for them, "they were like sheep without a shepherd." It is good to remember that when people come to me and I am tired the need that brought them to me can be much greater than my tiredness. I must renew my openness to others and the response of empathy must be ready for those who are truly in need.

When people are leaderless, they are like sheep without a shepherd. I have a long history in my personal life including early school years of being told that I have good leadership qualities but hold back from taking the role of leader. I must reevaluate those situations now as they arise. In the right situation, to be a leader is to have empathy for others and be Jesus to them.