The Memorial of St Paul Miki and companions

Heb. 13:15-17.20-21, Mk 6:30-34. The imagery of a shepherd flows through today's readings. While the first reading concludes with a blessing in the name of the Shepherd who has been raised from the dead, the Gospel projects a Shepherd who took His disciples to a lonely place to rest. After today's first reading urges us to care for one another and obey those in authority, it also presents a beautiful prayer invoking God’s providence in the name of the Shepherd who has brought healing, wholeness, salvation through His death and His being raised up: "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account."

In today's Gospel, the “enthusiasm” of the disciples’ returning from their first missionary experience is evident. They are excited about what has happened as they had proclaimed the good news in words and actions. Jesus knows that they need to be debriefed and be renewed by spending private time with Him. Jesus intended taking them away to a lonely place for a time of retreat and reflection, because they had been so busy that they hardly had time even to eat. However, when they reached that “lonely place”, it had become a crowded place; the crowd had got there ahead of them. His response to this unexpected intrusion was not anger or indignation. Instead, “He had compassion on them” and set Himself to teach, He calls us to give attention to people’s social welfare as much as we pay attention to their spiritual wellbeing. St Paul Miki and companions gave attention to the welfare of the Christians in Japan and are remembered for their heroic virtues. When a persecution of the Catholics arose he was arrested together with twenty-five others. Mocked and tortured, they were eventually taken to Nagasaki on 5 February 1597, bound to crosses and speared.

May the God of peace furnish us with all that is good, that we may do God’s will and carry out in us what is pleasing to God! Amen!! Good morning and happy weekend!!!