Please read slowly and reflectively.

Slowly count to five at the end of each line.

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF JESUS ACCORDING TO MARK (FIRST READER ONLY)

The Apostles returned to Jesus/

And reported to him all they had done and taught./

He said to them, "Come by yourselves to an out-of-the-way place/

And rest ahile."/

People were coming and going in great numbers/

Making it impossinle for them to even eat./

So they went off in the boat to a deserted place./

People saw them leaving/

And hastened on foot to the place/

Arriving ahead of them./

Whe he saw the crowd, Jesus pitied them,/

For they were like sheep without a shepherd./

And he began to teach them at great length./