July 23 2006
Jer 23:1-6 Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,says the LORD. Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,against the shepherds who shepherd my people:You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them,but I will take care to punish your evil deeds. I myself will gather the remnant of my flockfrom all the lands to which I have driven themand bring them back to their meadow;there they shall increase and multiply. I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd themso that they need no longer fear and tremble;and none shall be missing, says the LORD.Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;as king he shall reign and govern wisely,he shall do what is just and right in the land.In his days Judah shall be saved,Israel shall dwell in security.This is the name they give him:“The LORD our justice.”
Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6R. (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 pathsfor his name’s sake.Even though I walk in the dark valleyI fear no evil; for you are at my sidewith your rod and your staffthat give me courage.R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.You spread the table before mein 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 meall the days of my life;and I shall dwell in the house of the LORDfor years to come.R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Eph 2:13-18Brothers and sisters:In Christ Jesus you who once were far offhave become near by the blood of Christ.For he is our peace, he who made both oneand broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh,abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims,that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two,thus establishing peace,and might reconcile both with God,in one body, through the cross,putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far offand peace to those who were near,for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Mk 6:30-34The apostles gathered together with Jesusand 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 townsand 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.
The Lord, the Good Shepherd is an image and understanding of God that has roots in the Early Church and the image before the Christians of Hermes. My childhood sense of God was filled with the gentleness of a young man carrying a lamb back to the flock with a love for every single animal of the flock and a knowledge of who each of them are with a special understanding.
The disciples were tired and were going to a deserted place to rest. Their ministry with Jesus was so successful that the crowds of people followed them in the deserted place. Jesus was moved with compassion for the crowd and could see them as sheep who were lost. In a time of being tired and needing rest, the needs of others came before Him and touched his heart. I pray today for that open and compassionate love and life in all that I do. I pray to know God's will in my decisions daily and the love to give with an open heart.
Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6R. (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 pathsfor his name’s sake.Even though I walk in the dark valleyI fear no evil; for you are at my sidewith your rod and your staffthat give me courage.R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.You spread the table before mein 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 meall the days of my life;and I shall dwell in the house of the LORDfor years to come.R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Eph 2:13-18Brothers and sisters:In Christ Jesus you who once were far offhave become near by the blood of Christ.For he is our peace, he who made both oneand broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh,abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims,that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two,thus establishing peace,and might reconcile both with God,in one body, through the cross,putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far offand peace to those who were near,for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Mk 6:30-34The apostles gathered together with Jesusand 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 townsand 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.
The Lord, the Good Shepherd is an image and understanding of God that has roots in the Early Church and the image before the Christians of Hermes. My childhood sense of God was filled with the gentleness of a young man carrying a lamb back to the flock with a love for every single animal of the flock and a knowledge of who each of them are with a special understanding.
The disciples were tired and were going to a deserted place to rest. Their ministry with Jesus was so successful that the crowds of people followed them in the deserted place. Jesus was moved with compassion for the crowd and could see them as sheep who were lost. In a time of being tired and needing rest, the needs of others came before Him and touched his heart. I pray today for that open and compassionate love and life in all that I do. I pray to know God's will in my decisions daily and the love to give with an open heart.
posted by Joan Morris at 9:56 AM
