Baaaad shepherds, baaaad sheep? | Mark 6:30-34

Summary

Father Warner's sermon discusses the importance of rest and solitude in ministry, using the biblical account of Jesus and the apostles needing respite. He draws parallels to modern clergy, emphasizing the need for spiritual nourishment over material comforts. The sermon also addresses the urgency of Jesus' ministry, the impact of effective shepherding, and encourages the congregation to seek genuine spiritual growth, especially during Lent, while promoting a mission and a youth retreat at Saint Stephen's.

Takeaways

• 📖 The sermon's theme is 'Bad Shepherds and Bad Sheep', based on Mark 6:32-34, emphasizing the importance of genuine spiritual leadership and guidance.
• ⏰ The scripture reading highlights the urgency and fast-paced nature of Jesus' ministry, as indicated by the Greek word 'eutheos' used frequently in Mark's Gospel.
• 🛶 Jesus invites His apostles to rest after their mission, underscoring the importance of solitude and rest for spiritual leaders.
• 🌳 The upcoming mission and retreats at Saint Stephen's are detailed, encouraging participation for spiritual rejuvenation.
• 📵 The speaker humorously critiques the modern attachment to cell phones, suggesting that retreats should be a time away from such distractions.
• 🙏 The sermon touches on the necessity for priests and religious to engage in prayerful contemplation before taking on significant roles in the church.
• 👥 The success of the apostles' mission is evident in the large crowds seeking Jesus for guidance, contrasting with the ineffective shepherding of Herod.
• 🔍 The speaker calls for self-reflection among clergy on why people seek them out and whether they are truly serving as spiritual guides.
• 💬 The importance of effective communication of the Gospel is stressed, as people are discerning and will 'switch channels' if the message isn't spiritually fulfilling.
• 🕊 The congregation is challenged to consider their own hunger for Jesus and the need to seek Him earnestly, even in the metaphorical 'deserted places'.
• 📅 The speaker encourages planning for Lent in advance, including setting aside specific days for prayer and reflection, and invites the congregation to participate in the announced mission and retreats.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the sermon based on the provided transcript?

The main theme of the sermon is about recognizing the importance of rest and solitude in one's spiritual journey, as exemplified by Jesus and his apostles, and the contrast between 'bad shepherds' and 'bad sheep' in the context of ministry and spiritual leadership.

What biblical text is the sermon based on?

The sermon is based on Mark chapter 6, verses 32-34, where Jesus instructs his apostles to come away to a deserted place to rest and where he teaches the crowds who follow them.

How does the sermon relate the Greek word 'eutheos' to the Gospel of Mark?

The sermon explains that 'eutheos', meaning 'immediately', appears about 40 times in the Greek text of Mark's Gospel, emphasizing the fast-paced and urgent nature of Jesus' ministry.

What is the significance of the 'deserted place' in the context of the sermon?

The 'deserted place' signifies a place of solitude and rest, chosen by Jesus for his apostles to retreat from their ministry and to spend time in prayer and contemplation.

How does the sermon connect the ministry of Jesus and the apostles with the need for rest?

The sermon connects the ministry of Jesus and the apostles with the need for rest by highlighting how Jesus, despite the urgency of his ministry, recognized the importance of rest and solitude for his apostles, and by extension, for all ministers and followers of Christ.

What is the role of the apostles in the narrative according to the sermon?

The apostles, having just returned from their mission, are instructed by Jesus to rest. Their successful ministry is evident in the large crowds that follow them, seeking guidance and spiritual nourishment.

What does the sermon suggest about the importance of setting aside time for spiritual retreats?

The sermon suggests that setting aside time for spiritual retreats is crucial for spiritual growth and rejuvenation, as it allows for deeper communion with God and a break from the demands of daily life.

How does the sermon address the issue of people seeking spiritual guidance?

The sermon addresses the issue by discussing how people seek spiritual guidance for various reasons, such as for prayer, counsel, or because they are drawn to the way a priest celebrates the Eucharist or preaches.

What is the sermon's view on the use of technology, specifically cell phones, during spiritual retreats?

The sermon humorously criticizes the over-reliance on cell phones, suggesting that they can be a distraction during spiritual retreats and should ideally be left behind to foster a deeper connection with God.

What is the sermon's message regarding the role of priests and religious leaders in the context of their congregations?

The sermon emphasizes that priests and religious leaders should focus on their spiritual duties, providing guidance and nourishment to their congregations, rather than being preoccupied with their own needs or the material aspects of worship.

How does the sermon encourage the congregation to prepare for Lent?

The sermon encourages the congregation to prepare for Lent by planning their lenten activities in advance, setting aside specific days for prayer and reflection, and considering sponsoring a meal for a charitable cause during the lenten season.

Outlines

00:00

📖 The Urgency of Jesus' Ministry and the Need for Rest

In this segment, the speaker introduces the theme of 'bad shepherds and bad sheep', derived from Mark 6:32-34. The text describes Jesus urging his apostles to rest after their mission, highlighting the fast-paced and urgent nature of Jesus' ministry, symbolized by the Greek word 'eutheos'. The speaker emphasizes the importance of rest and solitude, especially for those in service roles like priests, and introduces upcoming religious events at Saint Stephens, including a mission and a youth retreat. The need for genuine rest with the Lord is stressed over mere leisure activities.

05:02

🗣️ The Impact of Effective Shepherding and the Thirst for God's Word

This paragraph discusses the successful ministry of the apostles, as evidenced by the crowds seeking guidance from them and Jesus. The speaker humorously reflects on the attachment people have to their cell phones, suggesting they leave them behind during retreats for true rest. The narrative contrasts the ineffective shepherding of Herod, who was more concerned with his own celebration than his people's needs, with the compassionate shepherding of Jesus. The speaker calls for introspection among religious leaders and politicians about their service to others and the authenticity of their titles.

10:07

🕊️ Reflections on Spiritual Hunger and the Role of the Church

The speaker continues the theme of spiritual guidance, noting the impact Jesus and the apostles had on the masses, in contrast to the ineffective leadership of the time. The focus is on the genuine desire of people to be with Jesus, overcoming excuses to seek spiritual nourishment. The speaker discusses the pandemic's effect on church attendance and the need for clergy to reflect on their effectiveness in spiritual leadership. The importance of setting aside time for prayer and spiritual growth is emphasized, with a call to action for both clergy and laity to prepare for Lent and deepen their relationship with Jesus.

15:10

🙏 Closing Prayers and Invitation for Spiritual Growth

In the concluding part, the speaker leads the audience in a prayer for spiritual improvement, focusing on the roles of priests, laity, and the youth. There is a plea for the return of those who have been absent from the church and a call for healing and guidance for the sick and suffering. The speaker also discusses his own plans for a retreat during Lent, emphasizing the importance of disconnecting from distractions. The segment ends with a call to support the Lovejoy Hope Foundation and the ministry's work, providing contact information for those interested in contributing.

Keywords

💡Shepherd

In the context of the video, 'shepherd' symbolizes a leader or guide, particularly in a spiritual sense. The term is used to describe both Jesus and the apostles as they lead and care for their followers. The video contrasts 'bad shepherds' with Jesus, who is portrayed as a compassionate and effective leader, unlike the secular leader Herod who failed his people.

💡Rest

'Rest' in the video is not merely physical relaxation but a deeper spiritual retreat, a time for contemplation and communion with God. Jesus invites his apostles to rest, emphasizing the importance of spiritual rejuvenation even amidst their busy ministry. The concept is further elaborated with the upcoming mission and retreats, suggesting a dedicated time away from daily routines for spiritual growth.

💡Ministry

The term 'ministry' refers to the service of spiritual guidance and leadership provided by Jesus and his apostles. The video discusses the urgency and pace of Jesus' ministry, highlighting the fast-paced nature of his teachings and healings. It also reflects on the modern clergy's role in ministry, questioning their effectiveness and the focus on spiritual needs over social events.

💡Compassion

'Compassion' is depicted as a key attribute of Jesus in the video, as he sees the crowds and recognizes their spiritual needs, likening them to 'sheep without a shepherd.' This compassion drives Jesus to teach and care for the people, contrasting with the self-serving actions of leaders like Herod.

💡Deserted Place

A 'deserted place' in the video is a location chosen by Jesus for rest and spiritual retreat, away from the distractions of the world. It serves as a metaphor for seeking solitude with God, which is encouraged for both the clergy and the laity to rejuvenate their spiritual lives.

💡Mission

The 'mission' in the video refers to the apostles' task of spreading Jesus' teachings and the church's current efforts to continue this work. It is used to describe both the historical acts of the apostles and the upcoming events at Saint Stephens, emphasizing the continuity of the church's evangelizing role.

💡Eucharist

The 'Eucharist' is a sacrament in Christian tradition, representing the body and blood of Christ. In the video, it is mentioned as an act of worship central to the Christian faith, distinct from the 'creature comforts' or incidentals of church services that might distract from its spiritual significance.

💡Pandemic

'Pandemic' refers to the global health crisis caused by COVID-19, which has affected how people attend church services. The video discusses the shift to online masses and the clergy's reflection on their ministry's effectiveness in this new context.

💡Lent

'Lent' is a period of fasting and spiritual preparation leading up to Easter in the Christian calendar. The video encourages planning for the Lenten season in advance, setting aside time for prayer and reflection, and considering the church's role in guiding信徒 through this period.

💡Cell Phone

In the video, the 'cell phone' is used metaphorically to illustrate the distractions of modern life that can detract from spiritual focus. The speaker humorously suggests that people's attachment to their phones rivals the commitment they should have to their spiritual life, advocating for setting aside such distractions during retreats and times of prayer.

💡Lovejoy Hope Foundation

The 'Lovejoy Hope Foundation' mentioned in the video is an organization that the speaker supports. It seems to focus on providing meals for children and care for the home, indicating a broader charitable aspect of the church's work beyond spiritual guidance.

Highlights

The sermon focuses on the theme of 'bad shepherds and bad sheep', drawing from Mark 6:32-34.

The importance of rest and solitude for Jesus and his apostles, emphasizing the need for spiritual rejuvenation.

The fast-paced narrative of Mark's Gospel, with the Greek word 'eutheos' used to convey urgency in Jesus' ministry.

Jesus' rejection in Nazareth and the subsequent commissioning of his disciples for their mission.

The execution of John the Baptist by King Herod, contrasting the failure of secular shepherds with Jesus' compassion.

The apostles' successful ministry, attracting crowds who seek spiritual guidance from Jesus.

The significance of Jesus' compassion for the crowds, likening them to 'sheep without a shepherd'.

The upcoming mission and retreat events at Saint Stephen's, inviting the congregation to participate.

The humorous commentary on the modern attachment to cell phones, comparing it to marital vows.

The reflection on the role of priests and religious in providing spiritual guidance and the need for self-examination.

The impact of the pandemic on church attendance and the牧师's role in adapting to new forms of worship.

The call for the clergy and laity to focus on the spiritual essence of worship over creature comforts or incidentals.

The challenge to the congregation to genuinely seek Jesus, overcoming excuses and distractions.

The importance of planning for Lent, setting aside specific days for prayer and reflection.

The牧师's personal commitment to going on a retreat during Lent, emphasizing the importance of dedicated prayer time.

A closing prayer for spiritual growth, healing, and guidance for the congregation, priests, and those in need.

An invitation to support the Lovejoy Hope Foundation and the牧师's ministry through donations and participation.

Transcripts

good morning everybody it's nine o'clock and  nine o'clock is with me father warner we are  

in saturday of the fourth week in ordinary time  our text today is from mark chapter 6 verse 32 34.  

uh i've entitled today's teaching actually  i need to say it more than read it  

it's bad shepherds and bad sheep that's the way  the title goes here it's a pun on the on the title  

but let's read the text first the apostles  gathered around jesus and told him  

all that they had done and thought he said to them  come away to a deserted place all by yourself and  

rest for a while for many were coming and  going and they had no leisure even to eat  

and they went away in the boat to a deserted  place by themselves now many saw them going and  

recognized and they hurried there on foot all  from all the towns and arrived ahead of them  

as he went ashore he saw the great crowd  and he had compassion for them because  

they were like sheep without a shepherd  and he began to teach them many things  

the gospel of the lord now everything  in mark's gospel if you look at the text  

happens immediately or at once the word in  greek for immediately is you theos e-u-t-h-e-o-s

eutheos now these words found in  the greek text of mark's gospel  

appear about 40 times in mark's gospel and  the purpose is to give us a sense of how  

fast-paced mark's gospel is but even more  how urgent is the ministry of jesus now  

we have finished six chapters and a quick  look at these first six chapters reveals  

much is really happening how quickly it's  happening and how quickly is as it were  

the ministry of jesus is proceeding so we  know that jesus was rejected in nazareth  

after which he then commissions his disciples to  mission now sadly at this time king herod also  

had john the baptist executed by the time we are  done with the chapter six jesus would have fed  

five thousand people he would have walked on the  water and healed the sick at janasiret in chapter  

six he feeds the 5000 and then again in chapter  eight he will feed the four thousand so itself  

chapter six is extremely fast-paced  you can see it uh in the titles itself  

um the rejection of of jesus as nazareth that's  the starting then the mission of the twelve uh  

then you have in chap in verse thirty the feeling  of the five thousand that jesus walks in the water  

in verse forty five and the healing of the sikh  in janazarit and with that we slip into chapter 7.  

now therefore it is in this hurried context that  jesus invites his apostles who have just come back  

from mission to rest a while now the lord is no  stranger to the joys of solitude in the wilderness  

if you look at the gospels itself you  will see that jesus spent 40 days in  

communion with his father before he began  his mission and this is the reason why also  

this time of prayerful contemplation is very  important even for priests and religious before  

they take their final vows before we are ordained  bishops etc before they become bishops spend that  

time in prayer and solitude before you you take  on your mission so um he has begun his mission  

and now he stresses the need for his followers to  rest also which means that all of us also need to  

take time off and when we say rest it doesn't mean  go for a holiday it means to rest with the lord  

now it is for this reason that jesus  chooses a deserted place for them to rest  

i want to say a word here because  we will be soon having a mission  

which is also a time of rest that will be from the  11th to the 13th of march here at saint stephens  

it will have three parts in the day morning  from 6 45 onwards for about an hour and a half  

afternoon at three o'clock with a devotion  and a talk and then in the evening from seven  

o'clock to about 8 30 deakin ivan fernandez  will be conducting the mission along with  

gisele and joelle who will be doing the prayer  ministry but we're also having a retreat for  

young people from the 4th to the 6th of march a  residential retreat for youth between the ages of  

15 and 30. so the church organizes all of this and  invites you to come away from your home to another  

place to a deserted place that is why i tell  people when you come to a retreat can you leave  

your cell phones at home unfortunately i think  we are all married to our cell phones we should  

now when we get a new cell phone say i i will  love you and i will honor you and i will never  

desert you i will never leave you down i will take  you to the toilet i will take you wherever i go  

as ridiculous as i'm beginning to sound right now  i'm sure you're laughing because if only husbands  

and wives said these kind of vows to each other  and actually live them the way we treat our cell  

phones um it would be we would be in a wonderful  world but anyway jesus invites his disciples come  

to a deserted place come rest with me not go  for a holiday okay in any case it becomes quite  

evident that the ministry of the 12 has been  very successful we can see it from today's text  

why why do i say that if you look very  carefully at the text they are followed  

by the masses who seek guidance from jesus and  who also are seeking guidance from the apostles  

you know i do come across  

or rather let me say this about myself i often  tell people when they ask me how are you i say i  

live in i'm living in the land of the permanently  tired if not in the permanently exhausted

because when you do god's  word you obviously people  

seek you out yeah and i've seen several  priests and religious who are sought after  

sought after you know we the clergy need  to ask ourselves why do people seek us  

some people seek us to come for their  homes for their parties to their weddings  

some will seek you for prayer some will seek you  for spiritual guidance and counselling some will  

seek you because they really enjoy the way you  celebrate the eucharist or break the word for them

each one seeks a priest for their own reason yeah  i remember one person telling me he said father i  

always go to that particular priest because  his masses are very lively and i asked him  

what do you mean by lively he says array father  he starts the mass always with two three jokes  

i just smiled to myself and i kept quiet okay  now scripture tells us that the twelve no leisure  

even to eat and they followed jesus and the 12  on foot these crowds just followed him literally

beating them to the other side of  the lake of galilee they must have  

run across if you've ever been to the lake of  galilee they must have run across knowing seeing  

the boat leave from one end they said okay i  think that's that direction they're going in  

and that would have been a much longer  journey yeah either the the apostles were  

rowing very slowly or these guys must have been  the crowds must have been running so you can see  

how much the crowds are thirsting when the word of  god is broken to them when they are ministered to  

when they are cared for they are thirsting now  while the lord recognizes the need for rest as  

should all his ministers who work find time to  rest his heart also melts with compassion as he  

sees the great crowds and in the words of jesus  he says they are like sheep without a shepherd  

there are several things therefore to ponder about  here in this text see if you notice this text was  

preceded with a narrative of herod's  execution of john the baptist  

herod also was a shepherd he was a shepherd over  his people but if you look at herod's life he was  

too busy celebrating his birthday party with his  courtiers and officers and leaders of galilee he  

had all the the social hoi polloi there with him  and at the same time he was executing a profit  

it is evident that the secular shepherd herod  was a secular shepherd had failed his people  

and that's what happens very often to people  even in holding um political power they call  

themselves government servants i find it so ironic  they call themselves government servants but  

you don't see that reflected in their life that  they are service or to service of people they i  

think technically we should ask our politicians  to drop that title and drop the title also for  

priests when we are called reverend father but  don't behave that we have any reverence in us  

or we are reverence for god yeah so titles  sometimes become meaningless in the face of  

behavior that doesn't reflect the mind and the  will of god or the mind and the will of your  

post as in government servants the holy father  i do not know whether you know this is called  

one of the titles is the servant of the servants  of the people of god the servant of the servants  

of the people of god and i really see this in pope  francis he really lives that title now in contrast  

jesus and his apostles have made a great impact  on the masses in contrast to herod in contrast to  

bad leaders even the religious leaders at  the time of jesus you can see that there's  

a great impact on the masses that has been  made by jesus and by the apostles so great  

is their desire to be with jesus that they use  as we've said all in every means to get to him  

and that's my reflection for the lady you see if  you really seek jesus then you'll stop making a  

fuss about everything yeah i have to travel so  far i can't get this bus i can't get this train  

i don't know the church is so hot i don't know  whether this covered so these are all excuses  

these people in today's reading have heard  the teachings of jesus and of the apostles  

and they have recognized in them true shepherds  and that's the difference you know the one thing  

this pandemic has taught us priests is that people  today are switching channels watching masses those  

who watch those who watch thank god for them but  those who watch um have been switching channels  

not because you know it's like netflix what's  entertaining me but what's feeding my soul  

and it has become a great reflection also  for the clergy as one priest said to me  

of whether we have been effective or not if you  are not effective nobody wants to listen to you  

yeah of course remember that priests the  ladies should not be watching a priest from us  

because he only takes the place of christ  but what with the word broken yeah if it  

is not meaningful then people just switch the  channel yeah um you there's so much that you're  

fascinated by some things but after some time  if it doesn't feed your soul you find it's  

meaningless now the people do not ask therefore  in the bible uh lord give us an air conditioner  

or a better church or they don't ask  how long is jesus homily going to be  

for them any place is good enough  even as we are told a deserted place  

such was the hunger for real food and jesus does  not disappoint them for he began to teach them as  

we are told in today's text he began to teach them  many things not a few things he says okay you've  

come to this deserted place sit down now i'm going  to teach you everything i know and the people sat  

so there is much to ponder for us today for  both priests and lay people both clergy and lady  

there's much for us to reflect for us as clergy  we need to see the fall in the number of our  

congregations even post govid was pandemic as a  reflection of a misfocus ministry for the apostles  

and jesus the focus was teaching and preaching  and not primarily organizing church social events  

the sheep two the late two lady two are called to  reflect on the many times creature comforts of a  

church or incidentals somebody said i watched that  mass father because all the hymns are displayed  

and the singing is very very nice and the flower  arrangements are very good and the church looks  

very beautiful these are incidentals so creature  comforts of a church or incidentals during worship  

very often take precedence over the creator  for whose glory the lord's day was set apart  

for whose glory this eucharist is being celebrated  it's the eucharist is for the worship of god  

those who followed jesus did not ask where  or when the service would be and when would  

that service end they followed because as  i keep saying they hungered for the word  

so here's my question you as we end  today do we hunger enough for jesus  

to follow him even in a deserted place and i  hope that as we will slip into uh into lent in  

the first few days of march i hope you already  planned your lenten program maybe one of these  

days i'll write an article we need to prepare  ourselves well in advance not you know reach  

shrove tuesday and then say oh tomorrow's  ashwin is okay what am i going to do no no no  

have i already marked my diary and set aside  the mission dates that are being announced  

have i marked my diary set aside the retreats  have i marked two three days in lent and said  

i want to spend this day in prayer and mark it  now in your diary so that you when you come to  

that day you don't say oh i'm busy straight away i  i put a line on certain days for myself and i say  

that's it yeah so many people on in fact on that  day many people will call you and say father but  

i need to see you urgently today so i tell them  i cannot see you urgently today yeah wait wait  

for one more day yeah and this is very often like  the devil trying to disrupt our time with the lord  

so set aside your date i will also be going on a  retreat in the season of lent i need my time of  

prayer and this time i'm going to throw my cell  phone out completely just leave it in mumbai  

and carry on and not even send i'll ask  my staff to send the daily messages to you  

so god bless you have a lovely day today i just  want to say a prayer with you so that god may  

fill you with his word today let us pray in  the name of the father and the holy spirit even  

we come to you lord jesus on this day asking that  we may improve our lives both as shepherds and the  

sheep to be faithful to you lord i want to pray  for us priests that we devote our lives to you and  

to your ministry that we spend less time sometimes  taking care of our own needs and more time  

taking care of the spiritual needs of our  people help our laity also to seek you lord  

not make excuses in this time of pandemic but to  seek you with a sincere and devoted heart want  

to lift up our youth our newly married couples  our children so many of them missing from church

bring them back lord bring them back touch  their hearts touch their lives touch our  

hearts and lives so that we may reach out  to them and invite them back to church

thank you for your word that nourishes us that  strengthens us that fills us with hope and joy  

lifts us out of our depressions  i want to lift up the sick

i want to lift up lord jesus those who are  suffering those who desperately right now need you  

and are willing to run great miles just  so that you may alleviate their suffering  

in your name lord jesus i pray for them bless  them heal them guide them guard them protect them

in your loving name i make this prayer amen the  lord be with you and may almighty god bless you  

the father the son and the holy spirit amen  god bless you everybody don't forget to like  

this video uh share it with your friends  i say this i mean it leave your comments  

we are still stuck i think on our  subscribers we're not moving very much  

we need that number to grow so  your help is really required  

thank you for those of you who have been reaching  out to us um i told you that i i will keep you  

informed we are doing we did rather well in terms  of the donations to the lovejoy hope foundation  

last month all their dates were taken care of all  their meals were taken care of so i'm very very  

grateful continue those of you who in this lenten  season would like to pick a day when you would  

want to sponsor a meal for these children for the  home for the care of the home pick a date already  

you can get back to me and for those of you who'd  also like to reach out and support this ministry  

please let me know you know you can always  contact me on my cell phone number but always  

by whatsapp only on 98202-42151 for  those abroad it's plus 91-98-202-42151

have a blessed day everybody  god bless you see you tomorrow

you