Daily Readings - Sun Jul 21 2024
Jeremiah
1Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.2Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.3And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.4And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.5Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Ephesians
13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Mark
30And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.31And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.32And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.33And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.34And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of leadership, unity, and compassion. In the first reading from Jeremiah, we hear a stern warning to the shepherds of Israel who have failed to care for God’s people. Jeremiah condemns their neglect and promises that God will gather the scattered flock and appoint new shepherds who will lead with justice and integrity. This prophecy points to the coming of a righteous Messiah, a king who will bring peace and restore Israel. The reading reminds us that true leadership is not about power but about serving and caring for those entrusted to our care.
In the second reading from Ephesians, we see how Christ has fulfilled this promise of unity and peace. Through his sacrifice, Christ has broken down the walls of division between Jews and Gentiles, reconciling them into one body. This passage emphasizes that we are all part of the same family in Christ, and our shared life in him gives us access to the Father. The cross of Christ is the ultimate expression of God’s love, destroying enmity and creating peace. This reading calls us to live out this unity in our daily lives, recognizing that we are all one in Christ.
The Gospel from Mark brings these themes together in the person of Jesus. After the Apostles return from their mission, Jesus invites them to rest in a deserted place, showing his concern for their well-being. When he sees the crowds, he takes pity on them, describing them as “sheep without a shepherd.” This image echoes Jeremiah’s prophecy, as Jesus reveals himself as the true shepherd who teaches and cares for the people. Mark’s account reminds us that Jesus’ compassion knows no bounds, and he calls us to follow his example by being present to others and sharing his love.
These readings challenge us to reflect on how we lead and care for one another in our own lives. Are we shepherds who guide with kindness and integrity, or do we neglect those around us? They also remind us of the unity we share in Christ and the peace he has won for us. Let us strive to live as instruments of God’s love, bringing reconciliation and compassion to a world in need. And when we feel overwhelmed, let us remember that Jesus invites us to rest in him, trusting in his promise to restore and renew us.