St. Paul Miki & Companions, martyrs

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21

Let us, then, continually offer through Jesus

A sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips celebrating his name. Do not neglect good works and common life, for these are sacrifices pleasing to God. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are concerned for your souls and are accountable for them. Let this be a joy for them rather than a burden, which would be of no advantage for you.

 May God give you peace, he who brought back from among the dead Jesus our Lord, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, whose blood seals the eternal covenant.  He will train you in every good work, that you may do his will, for it is he who works in us what pleases him, through Jesus Christ, to whom all glory be for ever and ever. Amen!

 

Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Mark 6:30-34

The apostles returned and reported to Jesus all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, “Go off by yourselves to a remote place and have some rest.” For there were so many people coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a secluded area by themselves.

 But people saw them leaving and many could guess where they were go­ing. So, from all the towns they hurried there on foot, arriving ahead of them.  As Jesus went ashore he saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them for they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began a long teaching session with them.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Jesus knows the value of rest. Continued and sustained activities without pause might be praised by some as expression of dedication and industry, but in the long run, it will have a detrimental effect to the person and to work.

For we need to pause once in a while. We need to recover our strength and replenish our enthusiasm and creativity. Not doing does not mean less productivity. For without break, our thoughts get clogged and slow down.

Attention to details become weak, and we become prone to decide on anger and irritation rather than on calm appreciation of the facts at hand. That is why Jesus decides to a secluded place. They need to renew themselves by resting.