FIRST READING
Jeremiah 23:1–6
Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the LORD. Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who shepherd my people: 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. I myself will gather the remnant of my flock from all the lands to which I have driven them and bring them back to their meadow; there they shall increase and multiply. I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing, says the LORD.
Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; as king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him: “The LORD our justice.”
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 23:1–3, 3–4, 5, 6 (1)
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
SECOND READING
Ephesians 2:13–18
Brothers and sisters:
In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
ALLELUIA
John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Mark 6:30–34
The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
REFLECTIONS:
What does the image of a shepherd tell us about Gods
care for us? Shepherding was one of the oldest of callings in Israel, even
before farming, since the Chosen People had traveled from place to place,
living in tents, and driving their flocks from one pasture to another.
Looking after sheep was no easy calling. It required great skill and courage.
Herds were often quite large, thousands or even ten thousands of sheep.
The flocks spent a good part of the year in the open country. Watching
over them required a great deal of attention and care. Sheep who strayed
from the flock had to be sought out and brought back by the shepherd. Since
hyenas, jackals, wolves, and even bear were common and fed on sheep, the
shepherds often had to do battle with these wild and dangerous beasts.
A shepherd literally had to put his life on the line in defending his sheep.
Shepherds took turns watching the sheep at night to ward off any attackers.
The sheep and their shepherds continually lived together. Their life was
so intimately bound together that individual sheep, even when mixed with
other flocks, could recognize the voice of their own shepherd and would
come immediately when called by name.
The Old Testament often spoke of God as shepherd of his people, Israel.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Give ear,
O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! (Psalm 80:1)
We
are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3). The Messiah
is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people:
He will feed his flock
like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms
(Isaiah 40:11).
Jesus told his disciples that he was the Good Shepherd who was willing
to lay down his life for his sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4, John 10).
When he saw the multitude of people in need of protection and care, he
was moved to respond with compassionate concern. His love was a personal
love for each and every person who came to him in need. Peter the apostle
called Jesus the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25).
Do you know the peace and security of a life freely submitted to Jesus,
the Good Shepherd? In the person of the Lord Jesus we see the unceasing
vigilance and patience of God's love. In our battle against sin and evil,
Jesus is ever ready to give us help, strength, and refuge. Do you trust
in his grace and help at all times?
"Lord Jesus, you guard and protect us from all evil. Help me to stand
firm in your word and to trust in your help in all circumstances. May I
always find rest and refuge in the shelter of your presence."
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