Sunday, July 20, 2003
16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Readings:
Jeremiah 23: 1-6   I will gather the remnant of my flock
Responsorial Psalm: 22: 1-6
Ephesians 2: 13-18   He is our peace
Mark 6: 3-34:   They wandered like sheep without a shepherd

Today’s text from Mark says that Jesus took pity on the crowd because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  The disciples had returned to tell Jesus about everything that had happened to them during their apostolic mission, so Jesus invites them to a quiet place to rest.  But they could not, because there was already a great crowd waiting for them there.  Jesus felt it was more important to tend to the crowd than to rest and eat.

If Jeremiah complained in his time of the political guides, the situation in Jesus’ time is much more acute.  In Jesus’ time, the political and religious chiefs had an ever greater tendency to disperse people.  The political, military and economic regime imposed by Rome was a burden that weighed on people, made heavier by those who played into the hands of the Romans, among which were the Sadducees, who ran the Temple.  The king and tax collectors were appointed by Rome, and the Roman military forces had their fortress next to the temple of Jerusalem.  In addition to the oppression, this situation offended peoples’ dignity.  The tax system was very thorough and the tithe for the temple was obligatory.  The economic situation was critical.

The society was divided and subdivided even further as it sought to find a solution to the current problem: some believed in the strength of weapons, others isolated themselves and lived on their own.  They were waiting for an irruption by God which would put an end to this situation and give the people of Israel an opportunity.  In addition, after their return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple, the purification laws dominated the Jewish religion to the point of making it merely a fulfillment of rules.  Jesus is not in favor of this because it is completely removed from life, lacking in the practice of justice, love and mercy.  In a situation like this, there is greater confusion and bewilderment among people, which is why Jesus is God’s alternative for that moment.  Many were separated from the temple, pushed away for not complying with the ritual rules of purification.  When they hear of Jesus, they feel identified with his teaching, and with his practice they find that they are not so far away from God’s ways; they find in him the shepherd who, instead of dispersing, congregates and joins.  So while the political and religious guides have plenty of time to rest and eat, Jesus and his followers have to find time that doesn’t exist to meet these vital needs.  Mark realizes that Jesus starts teaching the crowd because he is moved to compassion for those who wander like sheep without a shepherd.  His time and his life are consumed in the Cause of the Kingdom.  This is why he has come; his passion and folly is the Kingdom.  In another passage of the gospel, when Mary and Jesus’ relatives find out they have no time to eat because they are working for the Kingdom, they go to get him because they think he is going crazy.  Only one who has spent his or her life dedicated to a cause could understand these actions by Jesus; he doesn’t feel hunger or fatigue because he is doing what he likes and what motivates him.

Examining Our Lives

The spiritual guides of Israel are often presented as shepherds.  But God frequently complains about them, because they were called to guide but often confuse.  And although it’s true that the people were seeking God, they did so more for personal interests than the desire to obey his will.  If I am a pastor, do I serve and truly guide those entrusted to my care towards an ever greater and better encounter with God?  If I am not a pastor, do I respect and love my guides or do I follow them with subservience and for the convenience of their thinking for me?

-God promises his people that he will give them shepherds that will truly guide them in the ways of peace, justice and liberty.  And although we usually divide up the roles, making some pastors and others sheep, we must admit that we must all be loving pastors of all.  Do I recognize my responsibility for the fate of my brothers and sisters? Do I feel responsible for their lives, their peace, their happiness, or do I always leave the welfare of others to someone else?

-Jesus brings peace to all without exception, because he comes from God and God considers all of us his children.  The separation of Jews and pagans, believers and non-believers, black and white or any other division cannot hold a place within us.  Do I feel like a brother/sister to all, or do I fall into classism, sexism, racism?

For the community’s reflection

- That Jesus would say, “Come to a quiet place, to rest a little”, might seem to some to be a detail out of step with the rest of the gospel…It would seem that rest, much less recreation or pleasure, do not have citizenship papers in Christianity; they will always be foreigners and poorly received.  Quality Christianity would always go better with precepts, rules, obligations, prayers, devotions, abstinences, fasts, alms.  Where does that impression come from?  What image of God supports it?  Is that the image of God that Jesus has?

- Although in the Church, we must all be “pastors of each other”, the biblical theme of the pastors could legitimately be referred to the central theme—so current—of  ministries in the Christian community.  How does that issue feel?  Most “average” Christians ignore the issue, as if it were solely the responsibility of just the “pastors”.  A good reflection group meeting could study the issue in any one of its aspects.  Someone could be called on to introduce it with a presentation.  An article could be used as a starting point.  This one, for example:  http://servicioskoinonia.org/relat/201.htm

For the Prayer of the Faithful

-For those responsible for Christian communities, that they may serve all their members with generosity and devotion, without distinction between people, sensitive to their needs, being the first to face the problems of the community.  Let us pray. 

-For the governments of the nations, that they not seek their own interests but serve the common good.  Let us pray. 

-So that in this world in which we live there be more opportunities every day for people to develop in all their wholeness and with all their dignity.  Let us pray. 

-For all those who suffer the consequences of a classist, racist and selfish society, that they may obtain the help they need.  Let us pray. 

-For our Church, that it may be capable of facing the continual reform and improvement of ministerial models with creativity, as a creative way to serve the people of God which is always journeying through different historical contexts.  Let us pray.

-For our community, so that, after reflecting on its faith, it may translate it into generosity, devotion to others and loving care towards all.

Let Us Pray

God, our Father, look upon us with love because we are your children.  And even though we don’t always act like the brothers and sisters that we are, don’t ever stop guiding us like a good shepherd, so that we can transform our hearts to your likeness and also be good shepherds of one another.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.