Gospel reflection for July 21, 2024, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Knowing human nature and the need for the disciples to care for themselves after their inaugural mission, Jesus takes the disciples off for a time of reflection and recovery. However, as his, and now their popularity has grown throughout the region, those who were in search of something more meaningful in their lives wouldn’t let them alone. St. Mark comments they were: “like sheep without a shepherd.” Naturally, Jesus has pity on them and teaches them, and likely also brings healing to the sick and possessed. The work of Jesus, the disciples, and the Church is never done. There is always someone who needs assistance, even when they do not know what they need.
This interruption of the time that Jesus set aside for himself and his disciples to experience some relaxation and renewal after their work is familiar to those who work in ministry and other caring-oriented professions.
In a sense, then, Jesus models for us two opposing values necessary for effectiveness in ministry and in discovering a life-balance.
It is always important to find time to relax. Jesus takes his disciples apart from the crowds so that they can process their experience, but so that they can spend time with each other, build a deeper sense of community among themselves, and engage in spiritual renewal and refreshment.
It is important to note the frequency that the Gospel writers, especially St. Luke, note that Jesus has gone off by himself to pray. Prayer, relaxation, relationship building, and the development of good hobbies and habits are essential to preventing burn-out and frustration.
At the same time, seeing the crowds lurking about and looking for direction, Jesus reacts as does any other empath. He cut short the time with his disciples and ministers to the crowd because he had “pity for them.”
Inspired by the teaching of Jesus, and in response to his example and his command to love, it is common for us to extend ourselves for the welfare of others. The Church, through her ministerial and charitable works throughout the world, has set a benchmark that many secular organizations and the many NGOs attempt to emulate in their service to others. Many schools have set requirements now for community service for students, and the ability for youth and adults to volunteer is almost unlimited.
Like Jesus, we are “moved with pity” especially for the needs of children and those who are frustrated by their inability to care for themselves. It is hard not to be moved with pity.
In response to the reality that our neighborhoods, our nation and the entire world is filled with opportunities to exercise compassion and service, we can become overwhelmed. We cannot serve all people and at some point, we need to learn to separate ourselves from the service that we do.
That is not an easy task. This is true, certainly, for those in ministry, but also for those in all of the caring professions, for teachers and those who work in public safety.
As the voices in the world around us, fueled in many ways by the desire to undermine unity, discredit the Church, and cause as much unrest as possible, become louder and louder, more and more people feel lost and have no sense as to how to find direction. We see it in our parishes, especially in the programs for youth and young adults, but even the more seasoned among us are getting swept up into the internet frenzy where confusion abounds. All of these people are drifting — many times unknowingly — like sheep without a shepherd. There is not enough time to minister to all of them, and so we place them in the hands of the Lord, and invite them to open their hearts and minds to him.
We must remain steadfast and confident that the Holy Spirit is our constant companion in our ministry and exercise with steadfast faith, the people entrusted to our care, remembering always, to care for ourselves so that we do not become shepherds without sheep.
Father Garry Koch is pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel.