Saturday of The 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 6th February, 2021, The Memorial of St. Paul Miki and Companions

 Saturday of The 4th Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 6th February, 2021,

The Memorial of St. Paul Miki and Companions

Readings: Heb. 13:15-17.20-21, Ps.22, Mark 6:30-34

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LORD, PITY HUMANITY ONCE AGAIN FOR WE ARE LIKE SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD

Humanity are constantly in need of one thing or the other, we are never tired of searching for things that will satisfy our desires for physical and spiritual well being. This is even worst with the ugly situation in our world today were humanity are lost, confused and sick as a result of what we have created out of our selfish desires. This can be likened to  the situation and condition of the people in our Gospel passage today of which Jesus and his disciples devoted time trying to attend to them. 

But when the situation keep increasing Jesus said to his disciples you must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat.  As they went through their boat, the people went after them on foot. So as Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them for they are like sheep without a shepherd and he healed their sickness and taught them for a while.

Here, Jesus fulfills his role as the expected messiah who is to liberate his people from all kinds of diseases. The teaching and healing touch of Jesus reveals to us that God is faithful to his promises. This healing and wholeness are offered as a sign of the presence of God’s kingdom among his people. For we are told in our first reading that Jesus has become the great Shepherd of the sheep by his blood that sealed an eternal covenant, thereby making us ready to do his will in any kind of good action; by turning us all into whatever is acceptable to himself just like Paul Miki and Companions whose memorial we are celebrating today. They are the Holy Martyrs of Nagasaki in Japan.

This Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan were crucified on a hill, now known as the Holy Mountain, overlooking Nagasaki. Among them were priests, brothers and laymen, Franciscans, Jesuits and members of the Secular Franciscan Order; there were catechists, doctors, simple artisans and servants, old men and innocent children, all united in a common faith and love for Jesus their good Shepard. They remained faithful to the very end and faced martyrdom with courage and so received from Jesus the Good Shepherd, the crown of true and everlasting glory.

Dear friends, the hopeless and ugly situation in our world today are good indications that we are just floating in this world like sheep without a  responsible Shepard. Thus, we need to come to Jesus our true and Good Shepherd. We must make sure that nothing comes between us and the love of Jesus our Lord, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. 

For these are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us so much. We must ensure that neither death nor life, no angel, no princes of this world, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore, let us come to Jesus our Good Shepherd and embrace his love and compassion.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are lost in this passing world, as we come to you in need of your love and direction both physically and spiritually, guide us once again towards the path of truth, love and fulfilment even in the midst of all the confusion in our world today. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed weekend.