In addition to this, I am a master catechist which allows me to teach theological aspects of the Catholic faith with those in formation to become Catholic or for those furthering their faith. I write this not to brag, but to illustrate how careful I need to be to make sure that those receiving my input are correctly taught. The Prophet Jeremiah’s words in the first reading are a succinct reminder to me that I never want to fail my purpose for ordination: To be of service to those in need.
Unlike priests who are ordained to be pastoral to their parishioners, like a shepherd is to his sheep, deacons are ordained to go out among the people who are marginalized, disenfranchised or impoverished. We work in the trenches with the homeless, poor, hungry, incarcerated, sick, dying, widows and orphans to name many in need. We think, breathe and work in both charity and social justice issues.
The daunting part is that what is happening on the streets can be overwhelming at times. Unlike parishes which have multiple programs to take care of the churched, the people in need don’t always qualify for government programs or there are no programs to help them. You have probably read or seen on multiple media, or possibly interacted in real life, with the suffering and how hopeless it seems at times.
And, yet, if we don’t continue to try to offer some kind of help, the problems will continue to grow exponentially and it will only become worse. That’s why Jesus, often exhausted, continually worked to teach and heal all those with whom he came in contact so they would have hope there is something better for them. He took pity for the people in St. Mark’s Gospel because as much as He and His Apostles need to rest and reenergize, the people needed to be taken care of more; now.
So where does the reward of this come into play? It is in the spiritual growth of those we serve and in ourselves as we continue to follow the way of the Lord. Psalm 23 tells us when it says: “He restores our souls.” It is when we are acting as good shepherds as Jesus the Good Shepherd that we are sincere, truthful as our external actions reflect our inner beings. It is then when we are one with God and with ourselves when we help others find integrity in their lives by living as sincere people. We will then be at peace with God and ourselves.
In St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, he urges us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps by bringing union between people, breaking down barriers of division and creating communities that give and share. To accomplish this, we need to create time for ourselves in prayer, to reflect and renew our life vision. That’s what Jesus did after a grueling day of teaching and healing, He went off in prayer to recharge His batteries and to make sure He was following the will of His Father.
When we stop to assess the many needs of those in trouble, we must look at God who has a plan to direct our lives. God provides for what we really need in life: Peace so we can be true to God, others and ourselves.
In essence, those of us who trust in God’s faith as being true, we are shepherds to those who are aimlessly searching for what we possess. We need to look into our souls like Psalm 23 tells us to do so we can find the path for helping others and ourselves. When we do this, we will be able to seize the great promise: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
That is what we can give as we work for the benefit of those in need in God’s kingdom and what we receive for honoring our baptismal promise to God to love Him and all He has created. All we need to do is follow Jesus, our Good Shepherd’s footsteps, and we will help those in need and ourselves as well.
Reading 1: Jeremiah 23: 1-6
Reading 2: Ephesians 2: 13-18
Gospel: Mark 6: 30-34
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