Ninth Sunday After Pentecost
Theme of the Day: Jesus Models A Compassionate Shepherd’s Heart
In the ancient Middle East, a shepherd needed certain skills to do his job well: knowledge of edible grasses, ability to trim hooves, capacity to fend off predators, competency to birth lambs. However, the greatest qualification of a shepherd is much simpler. A good shepherd needed to care for his sheep. Without that, none of those other skills would be fully utilized.
In Scripture meaningful ministry is often pictured as a compassionate shepherd caring for his sheep: Jesus’ care for us; a spiritual leader’s care for his “flock.” Certainly, gospel ministry requires specific skills. But ultimately, meaningful ministry requires a compassionate heart—a profound caring for others. An individual might know God’s Word backwards and forwards. But if they lack compassion, they will not fully perform meaningful ministry. Today, we ask the Spirit to see how Jesus models a compassionate shepherd’s heart so that we might be filled with that same compassion.
Mark 6:30-34
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Hebrews 13:7-8,17-21
Psalm 23A
913 – Come Away from Rush and Hurry
551 – Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep
528 – Christ, the Word of God Incarnate
654 – Jesus Sinners Does Receive
601 – All People That on Earth Do Dwell
Prayer of the Day: O God, the strength of all who trust in you, mercifully hear our prayers. Be gracious to us in our weakness, and give us strength to keep your commandments in all we say and do; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. Jesus had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Alleluia.