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Reflections
for Sunday, July 22, 2012
God calls each one of us. Each of us can be a shepherd and we are also all
His sheep. Following our Lord Jesus is to walk in His way and that way is
always the way of the cross.
The Prophet Jeremiah recognized that even people who claim to serve the
Lord can be false shepherds. This does not mean that we have to become
suspicious of everyone in our lives. It does mean that each of us must
come to know the Lord so that we are able to recognize Him and to recognize
that which is false. To know the Lord Jesus is also to know His Church.
The Gospel tells us about the apostles, who are returning from missions.
Jesus tells them of the need to go apart and pray. Although this does not
happen in the account given today, we should recognize that it is important
for each one of us, in order to be faithful to the Lord, to find time to go
apart and pray. It should also be clear from the Gospel that when people
come to us who are in need of our ministry, that ministry takes precedence
over our private prayer.
To follow the Lord Jesus is to be with Him, to know Him well so that we
come to understand a bit how He think and how He feels about things. To
follow another person does not mean to stop being ourselves. It does mean
that all of our life is formed by Him.
The Letter to the Ephesians is a wonderful understanding of God's work in
Christ Jesus. Jesus came and preached peace to us who were far off and
peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one
Spirit to the Father. It does not matter if we are still far off or if we
are near: Jesus is calling out to us. Jesus preaches to us/ Jesus
proclaims the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells us to come to Him because in His
Spirit we have access to the Father.
How wonderful is this mystery of God's love for us. We are invited to
share God's own divine life by walking in the way of His Son, our Lord
Jesus Christ. The way is always difficult but it always brings to us
everlasting life. The way is difficult, but even in this life it brings
joy and gladness.
Let us walk with our Shepherd and know His love for us. Let us learn how
to be shepherds even as we obey our Shepherd. Let us come to know that
great mystery of Christ Jesus and His Church.
Readings of the day:
First Reading: Jeremiah 23.1-6
Second Reading: Ephesians 2.13-18
Gospel: Mark 6.30-34
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Reflections are available for the following Sundays:
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