Shepherd transforms

The Collect for the Mass today which uses the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary petitions God for the inner transformation that we desire to be more like Jesus. The First Letter of John presents the aspect of Jesus to which we are particularly drawn in our journey of transformation. The author tells us that God is Love. Friar Jude Winkler comments that we have various understanding and experience of love in our modern society. He points out that the text today identifies the person who is capable of complete giving without counting the cost as Lover. We fall short and our pursuit of the mission of Love requires transformation in our lives. The psalmist approaches the attractiveness of leaders who are blessed by God. The king who is following the will of God attracts all nations to experience the generosity and care with which the people are treated. The magnificent 23^rd Psalm is recalled by Friar Jude as that description of God as Shepherd who leads us to green pastures. The Gospel of Mark is an account by a disciple of Peter, written in Rome, for a Gentile audience. Mark is impatient to announce the attractiveness of Jesus as the Continuing Presence which shepherds all people and provides over abundantly for their need. The miracle of the loaves and fishes is presented in all four Gospels. Mark shows the attraction of Jesus to large crowds who follow him to deserted places to focus on experiencing a deep intimacy with the Divine without the distractions of life and survival. In the neediness of those in the desert, like the Israelites, God provides more than we need for sustenance. Faith which perceives God and trusts Providence opens our possibilities to Love without counting the cost.