"They were like sheep without a shepherd"
(Mark 6:30)
 
The image of the shepherd and the sheep is very common in the Bible and in all Christian literature. We usually associate it with Jesus, the good shepherd who gives his life for his flock. Although we live in an industrialized and globalized society and we know in some way the concepts of the shepherd and his sheep, these images do not tell us the totality of the message and the strength that they had in the time of Jesus when they lived in an agricultural society.
 
The readings of today reveal and confirm God's desire to shepherd us; that is, take care of ourselves, protect us and comfort us as the pastor used to do with his sheep. In the first reading, God promises to send pastors to his people, especially a pastor of the offspring of David who would guide them wisely and on the paths of justice. In the Gospel, Jesus, Son of David, is full of compassion when he looks at people as " a flock that has no shepherd." Having these two passages ahead we can sing with the psalmist: " The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. "
 
The prophet Jeremiah contrasts the bad pastors or leaders with whom the Lord is willing to provide them. Speaking in the name of the Lord, he assures the people of Israel that no one will be left out of his care. Today more than ever we need those leaders who join us and do not divide us; that make us feel welcomed that sustain us when we are weak. St. Paul also recognized these attributes in the leaders of their communities by reminding them that Christ " broke the walls that cause enmity" (Ephesians 2:14).
 
Jesus sent his disciples two by two in the Gospel of last week, so today we hear the story of their mission. Surely the disciples did it so well that in today's passage a crowd is following Jesus. Jesus continues to teach his disciples. He shows them the responsibility they must have to the people they attract. They cannot flee from their followers; indeed, as we will see next week. Nowadays,, Pope Francis wants every priest  to be may always be shepherds according to God’s heart. Francis invited priests to become involved in the problems of their parishioners while doing their priestly service. Let us ask that Pope Francis, our bishops and priests continue to lead us so that no one of us is lost and that we become a single flock under a single shepherd.

Fr. Hernán, SJ.