SHEEP AND SHEPHERD.

July 21, 2024.
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – B.

Readings: Jer 23:1-6; Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6; Eph 2:13-18; Mk6:30-34. 

"His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd..." (Mk 6:34)

A Hindi proverb says: “God takes care of a blind cow.” A Romanian proverb adds: “A good shepherd must fleece his sheep, not flay them.”

The relationship between sheep and shepherds is one of the images commonly used in the Scriptures to describe God's relationship with his people. It is normally one of intimate knowledge and trust. Shepherds are responsible for the care and safety of their sheep, which are helpless animals that can not survive independently. In return, the sheep learn to recognize their shepherd's voice and follow them—three main words spring from that relationship: care, trust, and obedience. The shepherd cares. The sheep trust, and because of their trust, they obey him. When the care is lacking, the trust also disappears, and consequently, the sheep go scattered.

In the Scriptures, the Lord is the true shepherd who not only cares for his people but also knows them, each one by his name. For the care of his people, the Lord appointed shepherds. But those shepherds did not truly care for the sheep. They rather had concerns for their personal interests. As a consequence, the flock became a mess and missing direction.

In today's first reading, we hear of what the Lord says through the Prophet Jeremiah of those he appointed as shepherds. He first accuses them of misleading his people: "Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture..." And because they did not fulfill well and conscious of their duty, the Lord assures: "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock from all the lands to which I have driven them..." He goes further, "I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing..."

In echo to this prophecy, the Psalmist invites us to sing: "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want." Psalm 23 is an uplifting and encouraging song for all who pass through hardships and tribulations, for all who lose their way or are misled. We are exhorted to find refuge in the Lord. He is the only true and right shepherd who truly cares for us. Not only does he know each of us, but he also leads us to the right and safe pasture where our needs can find answers.

The Lord Jesus, in the Gospel, gives evidence of the concern of the good shepherd. He saw the people, the huge crowd following him. He felt their needs, "for they were like sheep without a shepherd..." His heart was moved with compassion (pity) for them.

The context of today's extract of the Gospel of Mark is very interesting. The Apostles returned from their first apostolic mission. They were tired but also filled with joy for all they were able to do. Jesus felt as well their need for a refreshing and reloading time. So, he invited them to come aside by themselves, a time for them and him alone. Nevertheless, the people caught sight of them. As they are a people thirsting for God and good news, they follow them, and Mark even mentioned that they arrived at the place before Jesus and his disciples. This teaches how our needs of God must move us beyond limits and overcome every obstacle. And Jesus could not remain indifferent to them and their needs. So his compassion rose, and he set aside all his previous plans for him and his Apostles. "He began to teach them many things." And next Sunday, we will even hear that he went beyond teaching and sharing the word. He also will fill their human need for bread. That is what the good shepherd does: compassion, care, concern, and self-sacrifice for his sheep.

As leaders of families, social servants, and community leaders, as pastors of the people of God, do we let easily our hearts be moved with pity and compassion? Do we make ours the needs of our people to the point of setting aside our personal agendas and interests?

Regrettably, the contrary is what we see most in our societies today. People in position and in possession of authority like to be served rather than to serve. We often play the blinds, deaf, and mute in front of the suffering of the poor. Indifference coupled with individualism are what we enjoy more. We live in societies that are hyper-classified and divided. The rich are in subdivisions, and the poor are in squatters. Rich people close themselves in condominiums with the sky as their solo neighbor to have nothing to do with others.

The readings today sound like a challenge to teardown all our divisions. As Paul says, Christ is our peace who made both one. So, should become truly neighbors and brothers for each other. And we, shepherds and leaders, should the more express our proximity to everyone, as to become truly, "shepherds with the smell of sheep", that is, shepherds who share the life of the poor and invite the rich to reach out with charity and goodness and true love to them. We are not priests and pastors only for those who give us whatever we need. We are also priests and pastors to give the poor what they need. I like using the image of a priest with two hands outstretched. We receive from one, we give with the other. Our mission is to be the bridge of God's love and blessing from the rich to the poor. Unless we do so, the condemnation in the first reading applies to us: "Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture..."