16th Sunday of the Year, B – July 21, 2024.
Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ps 22:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Gospel – Mark 6:30-34.
Sunday Synopsis
In the first reading, God pronounces judgment on the shepherds of Israel for being self-serving and promises a new leadership through the Davidic dynasty. In the second reading, St. Paul states that we who were far off have been brought closer “by the blood of Christ” and are at peace because we have been reconciled with him. The gospel presents Jesus as a true Shepherd and compassionate saviour. Unlike the shepherds of Israel who were self-serving, he proved himself as an uncanny leader who invites us to embrace servant leadership.
Introduction
Beloved in Christ, our liturgy today comes hard on the Shepherds of God’s flock because of their reckless leadership style. As a result of their poor leadership approach, God promised to supplant them by promising to raise a true Shepherd that would smell like the sheep. The Shepherd who comes from the Davidic dynasty is Jesus who displays unlimited compassion for the flock by feeding them with the word of God.
Background and Summary of the Readings
In the first reading (Jeremiah 23:1-6), God pronounces judgment on the shepherds of Israel for being self-serving and promises a new leadership through the Davidic dynasty (Cf. Jer. 23:5 & 6). In the Ancient Near East, shepherds came from among the poor in society. However, the word was used to refer to a king. It discloses that the kings of Judah who were responsible for providing protection and sustenance for their flock by defending them against marauders failed in their duty. They also did not make efforts to search for the lost sheep or rescue those in dander. As such, God accused them of destroying and scattering his sheep.
According to Solvang (2018), some of these shepherds who performed poorly include Jehoahaz (who ruled for 3 months, 609 BCE – Jer. 22:11-12), Jehoiakim (609-598 – Jer. 22:18), Jehoiachin (who ruled for 3 months, 597 BCE) and Zedekiah (597-587 BCE – Jer. 21:3-7). These kings failed to judge the cause of the poor and needy (Jer. 22:17) and execute justice to deliver the helpless out of the hand of the oppressor (Jer. 21:12). As a result, God’s divine judgment came upon them.
In the second reading, (Ephesians 2:13-18), St. Paul states that we who were far off have been brought closer “by the blood of Christ” and are at peace because we have been reconciled with him. He maintains that this is to restore peace and unite us into one single Body with Christ. By so doing, it says, he killed the hostility and brought us the good news of peace through his Spirit as the way to the Father.
The gospel (Mark 6:30-34) presents Jesus as a true Shepherd and compassionate saviour. Unlike the shepherds of Israel who were self-serving, He proved himself as an uncanny leader. Although Jesus and his disciples wanted some time out for rest and food, the people kept following them. Since they trekked long distances to catch up with them, Jesus put aside his basic needs of rest and food to teach the people at some length. He took pity on them because he saw them like “sheep without a shepherd.”
Pastoral Lessons
- Seek the Lost Sheep: The first reading charges Shepherds of souls to jettison personal gain and look towards a branded kind of leadership foreshadowed in the Davidic dynasty by being true shepherds who are moved by the desire to win back the souls of lapsed Christians through living exemplary lives, preaching the word and administering the sacraments.
- Make an option for the poor: The message of the prophet Jeremiah reminds pastors of souls to emulate Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador, South America, who in the face of extreme social and political repression in 1977 made a preferential option for the poor and paid the supreme price with his life.
- Seek Peace/Reconciliation: Amid the wars in Ukraine and Palestine and war-torn zones in Africa, the message of St. Paul of peace and reconciliation speaks to our consciences as individuals and a Church to sue for peace while praying for global unity.
- Be Compassionate: The gospel invites us to be compassionate as our Father is compassionate (Lk 6:36) by taking to the deeds of mercy – feed the hungry, give water to the tasty, shelter the stranger, visit the sick and imprisoned, and bury the dead.
- Take to Servant Leadership: Jesus invites religious, political, and traditional leaders to measure their leadership style on the scale of servant leadership bearing in mind the dramatic washing of his disciples’ feet (Cf. John 13:1-17) and the fact that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt. 20:28).
Summary Lines
- In the first reading, God pronounces judgment on the shepherds of Israel for being self-serving and promises a new leadership through the Davidic dynasty.
- In the second reading, St. Paul states that we who were far off have been brought closer “by the blood of Christ” and are at peace because we have been reconciled with him.
- He killed the hostility and brought us the good news of peace through his Spirit as the way to the Father.
- The gospel presents Jesus as a true Shepherd and compassionate saviour.
- Unlike the shepherds of Israel who were self-serving, He proved as an uncanny leader.
Conclusion
The Church is called to serve, teach, and save souls in humble service (Cf. Matthew 23:12). We are urged to embrace servant leadership epitomised by Christ – servant leader par excellence. While our liturgy reminds us that bad leadership often fosters cynicism and sometimes hatred for leaders by their followers, we must realise that leadership is a burden. Let us pray for our leaders that God may help them deliver on their mandate. Amen!
