July 21, 2024: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. 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. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

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.

Reflection

It seems easy to put oneself into the setting of today’s gospel. We may have had times like the apostles when we have headed up a project at work or at church and, at its completion, we want to share the results, and check out how people feel about the experience. De-briefing, it is sometimes called. Imagine doing this with Jesus and wanting to share with him how you carried out his instructions. What happens, however, when it’s time for this sharing and then a little rest, and instead an interruption occurs? Others were following them and were seeking the experience of being with Jesus too. We might feel frustration and disappointment.

This does not appear to be Jesus’ reaction.  He reacts from the heart. In Mark’s Gospel Jesus always seems ready to do more. Compassion arises over and over within him because he does not just have compassion, he IS compassion.

Action

This week we might try to be aware of how we deal with frustration and interruptions. Are we able to keep our “cool” at these times?  Interruptions can be moments of grace, if we are able to remember to listen with our heart to what God might be inviting us to experience.