Discussion Questions

First Reading
Jeremiah 23:1-6

F1. In this reading the Lord speaks to the bad shepherds, i.e., leaders of his people. What are some of the “just and right” values today to which the “Lord our Justice” needs to attend so that the sheep can stop trembling in fear? Care for creation? Racial justice? Homelessness?

F2. Imagine being a caretaker of people in a way that a shepherd is for sheep. What can you do about the fear people experience all over the world due to injustice? Can you do anything to remedy any of the injustice? Is there anything you can do about unfair situations in your own living area?

Second Reading
Ephesians 2:13-18

S1. “In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ.” If we are one in the body of Christ, is the Eucharist an important means for breaking down dividing walls among us?

S2. Are there dividing walls today that seem impenetrable to you? Using this reading from Ephesians as a guide, how might people resolve their differences? Or in other words break down walls that divide them? On June 17, 2015, a white man killed 9 black people in a Bible study group in a church in Charleston, SC. The families of the victims forgave the killer. Does this kind of action help break down a dividing wall?

Gospel
Mark 6:30-34

G1. What does Jesus do in this Gospel story that is an example of good shepherding? Doesn’t he have pity and teach? Discuss compassion versus power as attributes of leadership.

G2. Pope Francis addressed a group of priests studying in Rome on the topic of communication with their people, and “being pastors with the scent of their sheep.” According to his statement, which is going to help them more with communication, being fragile or being superman?

St. Joseph is a reminder that “having faith in God also includes believing that he can work even through our fears, our frailties, our weaknesses. We must not leave frailty aside: it is a theological place.

My fragility, the fragility of each one of us, is a theological place of encounter with the Lord. The “superman” priests end up badly, all of them. ... The fragile priest, who knows his weaknesses and talks about them with the Lord, he will be fine.

To be the “apostles of joy” that the church and its people need, priests also must have a sense of humor, and they must cultivate gratitude for being called to serve people. 

Fragile pastors or superman priests
Pope Francis, June 7, 2021

Anne Osdieck
 

**From Saint Louis University