Sixteenth Sunday of the Year: B: July 18, 2021

 JESUS THE COMPASSIONATE AND KIND SHEPHERD

First Reading: Jeremiah 23: 1-6

Second Reading: Ephesians 2: 13-18

Gospel Reading: Mark 6: 30-34

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah sternly warns the leaders of Israel regarding their unfaithfulness in their duty of taking care of the people of the Lord God. Instead of looking after them, they scattered the people. The Lord God gives the assurance that He will send a Shepherd who will take care of His flock. The promised future leader will be from the lineage of King David - an allusion to Jesus the future Messiah. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul reminds the Ephesian Christian community that Christ has brought unity of brotherhood to Jews and Gentiles. Christ has broken all types of hostility and barriers among the people and united all people as children of one Father. He has brought peace to everyone who acknowledges Him as his/her saviour and Lord. 

Jesus had compassion on them                                                                          Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. A short description about the return of the twelve Apostles after their missionary journey is given. Jesus invites them to come to a lonely place to take some rest. But this rest was rather short-lived because of the crowds coming there to listen to the precious words of Jesus and to be healed by Him. Jesus is very much moved with compassion for them and expresses it by saying,'They are like sheep without a Shepherd.' Even in our most busy days we need to take adequate rest in the presence of the Lord. It can be any place of our choice: in the quietness of a chapel where the Lord is present in the Blessed Sacrament or it can be a corner of our own room or in the garden where we can listen to the comforting and soothing words of the compassionate Shepherd. When we listen to the Lord, we will be able to discover deep within us new resources of strength and energy. As we experience the love and care of the Good Shepherd, we in turn are invited to make use of this gift to care and to be compassionate to others in need. 

"While there is always more to be done, we have to choose how  to use our time." - Biblical Resources.