SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2024)
Readings:
Jeremiah 23:1-16
Psalms 23:1-6
Ephesians 2:13-18
Mark 6:30-34
Today’s liturgy gives us a stark contrast between the shepherds of Jeremiah and the shepherd described in today’s beautiful psalm and THE shepherd, Jesus, recounted for us today in Mark’s gospel. It is a striking contrast, one, we would hope, that is taught in bishop school, if there is such a thing. Given the examples of shepherds who populate the U.S. episcopate, I wonder how many will themselves be challenged by the strong words of Jeremiah. Clearly, Jeremiah is railing against the shepherds, the Church leaders of his day (something that did not increase Jeremiah’s popularity), highlighting their faults and weaknesses: “Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the Lord.” Jeremiah goes on to say “you have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.” Jeremiah tells his listeners that God Himself “will gather the remnant of my flock… and bring them back to their meadow…. I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble.” If only Jeremiah were on the bishop’s Spring or Fall agenda!
Almost as a preview for what is to come in the gospel, the responsorial psalm speaks from the Old Testament of the quintessential prophet who refreshes our soul, and “guides us in right paths.” The shepherd of psalm 23, so frequently chosen to be read at funerals, is all about “goodness and kindness” – He is a shepherd like Jesus.
After the distressing death of John the Baptizer being recounted, today’s gospel picks up from last week’s gospel. Last week the apostles were sent out two-by-two to the surrounding towns and villages, and they surely had much to share with Jesus about their success, and they “reported all they had done and taught.” Like the gentle shepherd that He is, Jesus gathers them together and surmises that this ‘advance team’ needed peace and quiet, a place to pray and be refreshed in body and soul. “So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.” At least they assumed it would be deserted, but those who “saw them leaving” followed them from the surrounding towns and villages and “arrived at the place before” Jesus and the apostles. There would be no peace and quiet. When Jesus saw the crowds beginning to gather there was no anger or upset, for this is what He was sent to do. Jesus is the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy. Jesus is the one who will be the Good Shepherd, “gathering the remnant of the flock” and leading them to “verdant pastures,” where He will guide them.
So what does Jesus do? “He began to teach them many things,” in spite of how tired He might have been. Unlike the shepherds described by Jeremiah, Jesus doesn’t drive the “vast crowd” away. Indeed, “His heart was moved with compassion for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.” He will be the shepherd they have been looking for, and He will enrich their minds, and [SPOILER ALERT] He will feed the bodies of thousands in next weekend’s gospel.
Jesus’ focus is not on Himself or His exhausted apostles, He focuses on the sheep. Our world is full of vulnerable sheep, who are hungry for what Jesus has to share, but the indifference of some of our modern day shepherds leaves them starving and confused. The vast crowds, based on what His apostles had said in their town, knew that something was missing from their lives, and they took it upon themselves in large numbers to meet their Master. Jesus changed His plans for “peace and quiet” so that He could teach the crowds something about God’s immeasurable love for them. Jesus saw the vast crowds as unique individuals, and their needs were as varied as their outfits. While Jesus taught them with authority, He was not judgmental. Rather, He recognized their worth and their dignity, and in His presence the vast crowd could feel their emptiness being filled.
Today we see multitudes of people who are like “sheep without a shepherd,” and while they may feel a certain emptiness inside, they don’t know where to look to get that emptiness filled. Sr. Mary McGlone in her weekly commentary put it so beautifully: “Today’s crowds aren’t chasing Jesus’ boat. They’re seeking unity in stadiums where they can shout with their fellow fans. They’re enthralled by speakers who rile them up without saying anything of substance. They’re marching against immigrants and others whose “differences” seem threatening. They’re finding community in gangs and solace in addictive substances and practices. These are today’s sheep without a shepherd, the people to whom followers of Christ are called to minister, the ones most in need, and often the ones who are most resistant to it.”
With Jesus as our guide and model, may we model our lives on all the good shepherds that we know. May we not be led astray by false prophets, even should they have the blessing of the Church. May we listen attentively at the Eucharist where His Word fills our minds with His truth, and our hungers are filled with His body and blood. May we foster an atmosphere of compassion “that can nudge the world toward embracing our unity so that we can eventually realize that we really are one flock with one really good shepherd (McGlone).”
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