The horrible murders that took place in Tennessee and Maine this past week as well as so many other violent deaths we hear about over and over again make us stop and realize how precious life is and what really is important. In a matter of minutes life can be changed forever.

The opposite of that is also true. We can have something really good happen to us and life can be changed forever for the good. And I think that’s what we find in today’s gospel reading. Last weekend Jesus sent his twelve disciples out to preach and heal. Today they return clearly excited about how they were able to effect people. Jesus invites them to come away with him and rest.

However people came to them in great numbers because they wanted to be touched and have their lives changed as well…they wanted the new way of looking at life that Jesus offered.

Jesus offers us that perspective today as well. He invites us today to let Him be our shepherd . He promises to lead us and guide along the way. He too knows how precious life is and He will show what is most important each day.