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July
20, 2003 - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
A.
God, Compassionate Like a Mother
B. A Shepherd Who Cares
Readings:
Jer 23:1-6; Ps
23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6; Eph 2:13-18; Mk
6:30-34
Commentaries
/ Gospel Reflections from:
Sunday's
Into Silence • Diario
Biblico • Daily Gospel • A
Certain Jesus
Greeting
(see Second Reading)
Jesus
came to bring the good news of peace:
peace to those who are far away
and peace to you who are close-by.
May that peace be always with you. R/ And also with you.
Introduction
by the Celebrant
A.
God, Compassionate Like a Mother
What
a pity if our world would become so heartless as to do away with compassion,
with pity! We hear today's Good News that God cares for us with a
love deeper and even more tender than that of a mother for the child
to which she gave life. He is particularly close to those who need
him most: the weak, those who suffer, those who count for nothing.
That is the love he showed us in Jesus; that is the love he invites
us to have for each other: deep, tender, lasting, not afraid of showing
itself. Let us ask Jesus here with us in the eucharist for such a
compassionate and committed love.
B.
A Shepherd Who Cares
There
are times when we understand instinctively that a person is very close
to us, that he or she understands us and feels with us, even if few
words are said. This is how Jesus was one with the people, one of
them, feeling with them, seeing their needs without having to be told,
also the hidden needs, the needs of the heart. This is how Jesus feels
about us. The gospel expresses this in the image of Jesus as the shepherd
who cares. We are gathered here around him and entrust ourselves to
him. May we learn from him to care for one another.
Penitential
Act
We
are sure God keeps us in his love
even when we forget him when we sin.
Let us ask the Lord to forgive us.
(PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, you loved people
and you still love all of us
with a warm, understanding love:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus
Christ, you know what we need most:
a word of acceptance and encouragement,
a gesture of forgiveness and affection:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord
Jesus, you can make us like yourself:
compassionate and healing,
generous and merciful:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
May
we bring the forgiveness and mercy
which the Lord has shown us
to all those we meet.
May the Lord lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening
Prayer
Let
us entrust ourselves and all those dear to us
to our compassionate God
(PAUSE)
Our loving God,
your Son Jesus has revealed you to us
as more tender, warmhearted and compassionate
than any mother could ever be.
Be near to all who are wounded in life,
care for all the little people trampled upon.
Make all those who follow your Son
people who can forgive and heal,
who make themselves nourishing bread
for all who are hungry in any way.
Make us care for one another
as you care for us through Jesus,
your Son and our Lord for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
Scripture
Readings
First
Reading Introduction: In Search of a True Shepherd
The leaders of Israel have been
bad shepherds, says Jeremiah. But God will give his people a good shepherd,
the Messiah.
First
Reading: Jer 23:1-6
"Woe
to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the sheep of my pasture!"
This is the message of Yahweh, God of Israel, to the shepherds in charge
of my people, "You have scattered my sheep and driven them away
instead of caring for them. Now I will deal with you because of your
evil deeds.
"I
will gather the remnant of my sheep from every land to which I have
driven them and I will bring them back to the grasslands. They will
be fruitful and increase in number. I will appoint shepherds who will
take care of them. No longer will they fear or be terrified. No one
will be lost."
Yahweh
further says, "The day is coming when I will raise up a king who
is David's righteous successor. He will rule wisely and govern with
justice and righteousness. That will be a grandiose era when Judah will
enjoy peace and Israel will live in safety. He will be called Yahweh-our-justice!"
Responsorial
Psalm: Ps
23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
R
(1) 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 Introduction: Christ Our Peace
Through Christ's blood, both Jesus
and pagans become God's people of the covenant; in this way enemies are
reconciled.
Second
Reading: Eph 2:13-18
In
Christ Jesus and by his blood, you who were once far off have come near.
For Christ is our peace, he who has made the two peoples one, destroying
in his own flesh the wall-the hatred-which separated us. He abolished
the Law with its commands and precepts. He made peace in uniting the
two peoples in him, creating out of the two one New Man. He destroyed
hatred and reconciled us both to God through the cross, making the two
one body.
He
came to proclaim peace; peace to you who were far off, peace to the
Jews who were near. Through him we-the two peoples-approach the Father
in one Spirit.
Gospel
Introduction: Jesus' Heart Went Out to the Leaderless
People
When he and his disciples needed
some days off for rest, Jesus could not close his heart to the leaderless
people who searched for him. As a shepherd he nourished them with his
word.
Gospel
Reading: Mk 6:30-34
 The
apostles returned and reported to Jesus all they had done and taught.
Then he said to them, "Go off by yourselves to a remote place and
have some rest." For there were so many people coming and going
that the apostles had no time even to eat. And they went away in the
boat to a secluded area by themselves.
But
people saw them leaving and many could guess where they were going.
So, from all the towns they hurried there on foot, arriving ahead of
them.
As
Jesus went ashore he saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them
for they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began a long teaching
session with them.
Commentary
The
apostles sent on a mission returned. They had so much to recount because
so much had happened. Jesus listened to them, one by one, each later
report trying to outdo the previous one. Sometimes they would break
into a chorus, "I....", each voice trying to drown the others.
It was time to go to the desert, Jesus decided, by themselves, to
rest awhile. The apostles looked at one another, embarrassed. They
knew what he meant. Each time he went to the desert, he spent time
in prayer. Yes, it was time for prayer. There were already too many
I's, my's, mine's. It was time to empty themselves in humble prayer
to make space for Him who worked all those wonders in and through
them. Is Jesus inviting us too?
Read
also: • Gospel
Reflections by Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R.
•
Biblical
Commentaries fro Diario Biblico
General
Intercessions
Let
us pray to our patient, merciful God that compassion may never disappear
from our world, and let us say: R/ Have mercy on your people, Lord.
- Lord,
we pray you for a compassionate Church that is lenient and patient with
those who err, a Church which gives them the time and the help to repent,
and so we ask you: R/ Have mercy on your people, Lord.
- Lord,
we pray you to give to your Church compassionate shepherds who show
something of your patience and mercy in the sacrament of reconciliation,
and so we ask you: R/ Have mercy on your people, Lord.
- Lord,
we pray you for a compassionate society that cares for the needy, tries
to do away with unjust structures and makes its laws and courts bring
justice to all without any discrimination, and so we ask you: R/
Have mercy on your people, Lord.
- Lord,
we pray to make us compassionate people, who bring your mercy and love
to the sick and the aged, to widows and orphans, to the discouraged
and the dying, we pray you: R/ Have mercy on your people, Lord.
- Lord,
make us compassionate communities, who, like you, see and feel the needs
of people without being asked; who try gently and unobtrusively to lighten
the burdens of those who suffer, and so we ask you: R/ Have mercy
on your people, Lord.
- Lord,
be compassionate and patient with us when we have sinned and restore
us, we ask you: R/ Have mercy on your people, Lord.
You
are a God attentive to the needs and the happiness of people. Let your
Spirit give us hearts full of compassion, like the shepherd's heart
of Jesus, your Son, who lives with you for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer
over the Gifts
Lord
our God, compassionate Father,
in these signs of bread and wine
we welcome your Son Jesus Christ
as our Good Shepherd who died for us
to give direction to our lives.
Reassure us that he is familiar
with our weariness and miseries,
that he listens when we turn to him,
that he is present when we need him.
For he is our Lord and Shepherd
now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Introduction
to the Eucharistic Prayer
Through
and with Jesus, our Good Shepherd, let us thank our Father in heaven
for caring for us and guiding us through his Son.
Invitation
to the Lord's Prayer
God
is a Father who cares.
Full of trust, we pray to him
with Jesus, our Good Shepherd: R/ Our Father...
Deliver
Us
Deliver
us, Lord, from every evil
and grant us peace in our day.
Keep us from drifting about without aim.
Gather us together and make us
shepherds to one another,
as we wait in joyful hope
for the coming in glory
of our Shepherd and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Greeting
of Peace
Jesus
is our peace with the Father
and with one another.
May his peace be always with you.
Invitation
to Communion
This
is Jesus, our Good Shepherd,
who knows us by name
and who gave his life for us.
He gathers us together
and gives us his body to eat
to keep us united as his one people.
Happy are we to be invited
to the table of the Lord. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer
of Trust (F. Cromphout)
By
way of thanksgiving, the following prayer of trust could be prayed by
all if it is in the people's leaflet; otherwise it is read slowly by
the leader. After it, the celebrant concludes with the Prayer after
Communion.
God,
you are always greater
than we dare to expect.
You do new and unheard things.
When the world crumbles around us,
you make a new creation.
Make
us attentive
to your action in these times,
that we may not stand still
to stare at the things of the past,
and not seek you where you are not to be found.
Go ahead of us,
you who are our future.
Help
us to seek new ways
to you and to one another
and to hold on to each other
in all our uncertainties.
Give
us the firm assurance
that your power is still active today
and that you keep renewing the world
through Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Prayer
after Communion
Our
God and Father,
we thank you with all our hearts
for giving us a sure guide,
someone who knows where he leads us,
your Son Jesus Christ.
Keep giving to your Church today
pastors in the image of your Son.
Let them be full of compassion and vision,
sensitive to people and their needs,
open to the demands and potentials
of the gospel and of our times.
Let them be true shepherds
by the power of Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
A world
without pity or compassion
is a world with little room for God.
May our communities reflect
the compassion of Jesus our Lord;
make us attentive to each other's needs,
both material and spiritual,
for God has entrusted us to one another.
May the kind and merciful God bless you all:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go,
follow the Lord,
and be responsible for one another. R/ Thanks be to God.
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