SUNDAY HOMILY OF 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B

SUNDAY HOMILY OF 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: THE SHEPHERD’S HEART

BY: Fr Peter Gabriel Okon

Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 22; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture” is the opening line of the first reading from the prophecy of Jeremiah. This is clearly oppose to what shepherding entails and so God promises to raise up a shepherd for his people from the stock of David, that true shepherd is Jesus Christ. Today’s Psalm, Psalm 23, affirms that our only true Shepherd is the Lord Jesus Christ. He has come so that the sheep may live in peace and harmony. This is both consoling and instructive for us especially in the face of suffering and oppression.

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St Paul, in the second reading from Ephesians reminds us that Jesus, the true shepherd, does not just bring about peace but He is our peace (Eph 2:14), for through Him, we all have access in one spirit to the Father. The gospel (Mark 6:30-34) offers true reflection of the Heart of a Shepherd, who not only rescheduled or repurposed his vacation with the disciples to care for those who were like sheep without a shepherd, but ultimately laid down his life for the sheep. “Jesus Christ is that shepherd with a steeze”. He offers everything, that nothing more is left to be offered for the sake of the sheep.

In his 2013 World Day of Peace address, Pope Benedict XVI stated that “peace is not just the absence of war, but the universal experience of love and justice”. This is what the reign of Christ as Shepherd is all about, to bring about love and justice. There is peace in justice, that is, giving to each man/woman what is his/her due. There is peace in love, that is, sacrificing or emptying out ourselves for the sake of others. Sharing our time, resources with others regardless of creed or colour.

In God, love and justice match together. This is exactly what Jesus the true Shepherd did in the gospel today. For the love of the people who were stranded, Jesus and his disciples sacrificed their rest, which was a just course, to lead the people to green pastures and revive their souls, bringing peace and solace to them.

Interestingly, all of us are shepherds at different levels, or atleast finds ourselves in the role of a leader at a point in life. The template has been set for us, by Jesus himself. Today our world still suffers so much because of poverty of responsibility or insensitivity to the plight of others. A growing trend of indifference. Shepherds without a sense of responsibility towards the sheep; shepherds whose staff scatters rather than gather as in the first reading (cf Jer. 23:1-6). Today Jesus adequately demonstrates not only to the Apostles but to all of us, pastors, all religious and political leaders, husbands, wives, teachers, service givers at all levels how to be a leader and a shepherd, and not just one occupying a position of authority.

To be a shepherd like Jesus, one has to be pro-active, compassionate, sacrificial, responsible, examplary, and accessible. Empathy and compassion to all in need is key here. Jesus had compassion on the people, even at the expense of His own comfort. Elsewhere to emphasize His commitment to duty, in response to his disciples Jesus did submit that His food is to do the will of the one who sent Him (John 4:34).

Beloved in Christ, our Lord has sacrificed everything for us. Despite the difficulties and hardship of our time, we are consoled that we have in Jesus Christ a shepherd who knows our needs and cares for us. Jesus knew the needs of the people, not just as a crowd but individually. As we are today, Jesus sees not just a congregation but each of us as individuals. He sees every broken heart, physical defects, ailments, imperfections and weaknesses. He sees our emotional, spiritual and financial needs and struggles. He is concerned about our sick children, spouses and loved ones. Those suffering from depression, abusive relationships, frustrations and disappointments in life are known to Him. None of us is left alone, Jesus is here to comfort and revive our souls. We need to pray the Psalm; “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want…”with faith and trust in Jesus Christ to supply our needs.

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture” is a warning to all of us leaders to take seriously our task, so as not to suffer the wrath of God at the end of time.

May Almighty God, the true shepherd have compassion on us in our needs, lead us to green pastures and bring to perfection all that is imperfect in us through Christ our Lord Amen.

Have a blessed Sunday.

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