Reflection for Sunday July 21, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 6:30-34

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.

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Reflection: 

A woman went to her neighbor to seek advice for her many problems. The neighbor asked the troubled woman this question: “Is Jesus an integral part of your life? For example, do you always pray to the Lord? Do you always attend Holy Mass?” The woman said no, and then the neighbor advised her to make time for Jesus. 

In the Gospel, a vast crowd was running after Jesus (Mark 6:34) because they knew that Jesus would straighten out their lives. They were not only after Jesus because they wanted to be cured and fed. Some perhaps were pursuing Jesus because they wanted to simply see Him and that would be enough for them to heal their body and soul. 

The vast crowd who was following Jesus wherever he goes saw in Jesus a good shepherd who will not only feed and heal them. They also saw in Jesus someone who will give them precious advice and guidance. 

What does this mean to you? 

This means that whenever you have issues and concerns in life that seem difficult to resolve, you have to go to Jesus in prayer. You need to bend your knees before Him and ask for His help and guidance. Because Jesus is always there for you ever ready to guide and help you as you encounter the many challenges of your life. 

Do you always pray to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas