The disciples today are depicted as returning from their missionary tours to debrief with Jesus. Jesus, in turn, shows his concern for their welfare and ultimately, also, that of the crowd who follow him and the disciples as they go on retreat. Jesus takes the lead and teaches the crowd: "...because they were like sheep without a shepherd." (Mk 6: 34) It is clear that it is Jesus who directs the mission. This is also the case in the Second Reading as St Paul indicates that it is through the agency of Christ Jesus that salvation is brought about. Jesus does not only do this through his preaching but through his person: "in his flesh he has made both Jews and Gentiles into one" and "might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross" (Eph 2: 15-16) In the Mass we have both the liturgy of the Word and the Sacrament. These are efficacious in us when we are empowered to become missionary disciples and are united in the one body. The power, always, is that of Jesus working with us and in us through the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father.
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