XVI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
THE COMPASSION OF JESUS CHRIST
By our Pastor, Fr. Carmelo Jiménez
The readings for this Sunday are precious, especially the Gospel which is a continuation of the Gospel from last Sunday. Last Sunday I based my reflection on the Christological Hymn from Saint Paul to the Ephesians and I only mentioned a little of the Gospel, so this week I will take back up that reflection.
“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits…So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” (Mk 6:7,13) The apostles at this point had been following Jesus for a while, for almost three years they had renounced their families to listen to and be with the Master. By this point they know a lot about the life of Jesus Christ, his preaching, his way of acting and how many things he had done for the people of God, for the poor and needy. The text I included here was from last Sunday so that I can make the connection. The apostles are sent as collaborators of Jesus. They are continuing the work that he has begun as the good shepherd. Jesus Christ has deposited in them his trust by inviting them and sending them out with a common assignment: evangelize. The assignment is well defined: announce the Good News, which means to announce repentance, not condemnation. Expel demons in order liberate people so they no longer live in slavery. And finally, to cure the sick, which means that God does not want human beings to suffer.
“The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught.” (Mk 6:30). He had sent them out full of confidence that the Father would take care of them. And now they return happy to inform him of the completed mission. It is a beautiful and touching scene. My mind drifts back to my days in seminary when we would go out to the missions on the weekends or during holy days and we would return so happy to share our experiences. And so, the future shepherds – the apostles – are in communion with the Good Shepherd. It is the first sending out of the apostles and their hearts return full of emotions and they want to tell about what they’d lived.
“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.” (Mk 6:31) I should mention that this bible passage has always affected me greatly personally because there are many priests and religious that try to pull me away from my work, but at the same time I hear the voices of the needy and…
“So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. 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.” (Mk 6:33a, 34) The apostles are invited to a calm, deserted place. It’s important to have a time of calm in order to value the results of this first mission that they have announced and to prepare them for the grand apostolic mission they will realize after his Resurrection when they go out to the whole world.
Today, like yesterday, Jesus continues putting his trust in his shepherds. And today, like yesterday, we need to find times of quiet with the Master and Shepherd who sends us. But just like Jesus, we should always be willing to follow while also being present to the people. Despite the urgency of rest and tranquility for the apostles, Jesus’ compassion for the people was even stronger. May we find the time to be with Jesus but also know how to give of ourselves and have compassion on people in order to announce to them the divine mercy, the total liberation of man and the strength of healing in God. Amen.