Sunday 19,2009 The 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: Sunday July 21, 2009
Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 23:1-6
Ephesians 2:13-18 Mark 6: 30-34
In the words of Jeremiah, a shepherd becomes the synonym for a leader, a king, a priest.
In early times, shepherds were looked upon as the lowest of low. Even the cowboy movies we saw as kids, depicted the cattlemen as righteous and sheepherders as vile, ready to spoil grazing land and pollute watering holes.
However, Jeremiah is recounting the Hebrews before their enslavement in Egypt. Abraham was a shepherd; Jacob, was a shepherd; Moses was a shepherd; David, and many other leaders of the monarchy and of God's people were shepherds.
Perhaps, the caricature of a Shepherd, brought to mind these patriarchs of the Covenant with God. Jeremiah depicts leaders of the day as NOT shepherds, who care for the flock, but hired hands who run away when the flock is threatened by danger of any kind. Sheep are trusting. They walk, almost smiling to their shearing or even death with no inkling of their impending doom. The leaders, the Kings and the Priests, knowingly are directing them on the path to their destruction.
So, God directs Jeremiah to write of the great day, when a "shoot of David", and therefore, of his house and line, would come to be King and leader of God's people, as God intended.
The Psalmist poetically relates who the good shepherd is; it is the Lord! Not only does He lead them to where they might graze, He keeps them from rushing waters, which might weigh down their wool, causing them to sink into the mud and be trapped.
Paul's encouragement to the Ephesian gentiles was the fact of their inclusion in the flock. Before their Baptism, they were afar off. Now, they are made one with the Body of Christ. It was He who sanctified all people by His sacrificial offering of Himself on the Cross.
The Apostles were elated with their successful missionary journey. They also were tired. Christ tried to give them some time off, however, their message of hope spread and others wanted to hear it, too. So, they were unable even to take time to eat.
Christ is telling us, we can not rest, ever, until His message of hope and salvation, reaches the ears of every