+ Our gospel passage today once again speaks of the tender love that Jesus has for those following him, those seeking something better than what they now possess. They know that something is lacking in their lives and they have a great instinct telling them in their hearts that Jesus is the answer to their problems! And Jesus does look at them with compassion; his heart is moved to the point of empathetic pity and he gives them what he feels they need first: knowledge of the way things truly are, and how things can really be different if what he presents is adopted and put into practice! This knowledge is very important: for from knowledge can come love, and from love can come communion with God and with one another!
But it is also to be noted in this passage that Jesus is not only concerned with the sheep of his flock, but also the shepherds. The Apostles, after going out and announcing the arrival of the Reign of God in the person of Jesus, come back to him exhausted and they gather at his feet and tell him all the marvelous things that they had accomplished that day in his name! Jesus looks directly at each of them and sees their weary, worn faces; they are tired and hungry, and so Jesus invites them to come away by themselves to a deserted place and rest a while. But people kept coming and coming! So Jesus had them get into a boat to get away for while – but the people found out where they were going and arrived there before them. The attraction of Real Truth and Real Peace is a driving force
It appears that the Apostles and Jesus never got their rest that day! This sometimes happens in meeting the needs of God's people! They helped Jesus preach and teach these spiritually thirsting and hungry souls. But sooner or later these primary ministers would need some time to refresh and regroup and be renewed by the Spirit of Love, for more work in the vineyard.
My dear sheep, I am asking you to remember the good shepherds that have just recently been appointed to serve your needs: Fr. Murray, Fr. Norm and myself; each of us are in the state that many of you are as we face the prospects of building a brand new parish (some of you whether you even realize it or not), we are ourselves are mourning the loss of what was, in the old parish set up and all that went along with it; all of us, including you all, are involved in a real grieving process that might take some time to get through; and so be very kind and gentle and loving to one another and to these new priests: Jesus was concerned about his helpers and their spiritual and physical welfare – so must you be on behalf of Jesus! There is nothing more moving that to see a sheep taking care of its shepherd! It does work both ways!
The Lord is both your shepherd and my shepherd; there is nothing that any of us will ever lack if we trust him and follow him all the days of our life!
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