First Reading
Jeremiah 23:1-6

1. In this reading the Lord speaks to the bad shepherds, i.e., leaders of his people. What are the priorities or values of a shepherd whose sheep tremble and fear? What are the priorities and values of “The Lord our justice?”

2. Imagine that you are a caretaker of people like a shepherd is for sheep. What can you do about the fear people experience all over the world due to injustice? Are you able to do anything to remedy any of the injustices? Is there anything you can do about unfair situations in your own living area?

Second Reading
Ephesians 2:13-18

1. Paul, a Jew preaching to Gentiles, was now a Christian preaching to Jews. There were a lot of barriers or dividing walls as Paul calls them. Discuss dividing walls present today among peoples of different beliefs, races or cultures.

2. Which dividing walls seem most impenetrable to you? Using this reading as a guide, what might people do who would like to resolve their differences or in other words break down walls that divide them? For instance, on June 17th a white man in Charleston, SC, killed nine black people in a Bible study group. The families of the victims forgave the killer. Is this the kind of action that will break down a dividing wall?

Gospel
Mark 6:30-34

1. Pope Francis addressed the priests of Rome on the topic of mercy by calling to mind the scene in which Jesus is moved with pity for the vast crowd for they were tired and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. How does his statement illustrate the line from the Gospel?   

2. Pope Francis said that the Gospel “must be proclaimed in poverty,” and that Jesus wanted the disciples to have a “no frills attached” attitude—“no food, no sack, no money in their belts.” How does this kind of detachment help disciples heal the “wounded and oppressed” mentioned below?


[Many] are wounded by material problems, by scandals, even in the Church, [and] the illusions of the world. We priests must be there, close to these people. …
Mercy means, above all, taking care of wounds. When a person is injured, this is the immediate help they need, not analysis; the special care can follow, but first we need to tend to the open wounds. Pastoral suffering [is] suffering with the people, like a father and a mother suffer for their children, and I would say also with anxiety.

Vatican City, March 6, 2014 (CNA/EWTN News)

Anne Osdieck