Daily Readings - Sun Jul 22 2018
Jeremiah
1"Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD.2Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done," declares the LORD.3"I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number.4I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD.5"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.6In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
Ephesians
13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Mark
30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."32So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.33But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.34When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching 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 God’s lament over the shepherds who have failed to care for His people. These shepherds, entrusted with the well-being of the flock, have instead scattered and neglected them. Yet, in the midst of this failure, God promises to gather the remnant of His flock and appoint new shepherds who will lead with wisdom and justice. This passage is set against the backdrop of Israel’s history, where the monarchy had often failed to live up to its calling. Jeremiah’s prophecy looks forward to a messianic figure, a “righteous branch” from David, who will bring restoration and peace.
In the second reading from Ephesians, we see how this promise of restoration is fulfilled in Christ. Paul writes that Christ has broken down the walls of division between Jews and Gentiles, reconciling them into one body through His sacrifice on the cross. This unity is not just a abstract idea but a lived reality made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. The early Christian community, like the Israelites before them, had experienced division and separation, but in Christ, they are brought near and given access to the Father. This passage emphasizes that the peace of Christ is not just for individuals but for the entire community, creating a new way of living together in harmony.
The Gospel from Mark brings these themes together in the person of Jesus. After a busy period of ministry, Jesus invites His disciples to rest in a deserted place. Yet, when they arrive, they find a crowd of people who are like “sheep without a shepherd.” Moved by compassion, Jesus takes on the role of the shepherd, teaching and caring for them. This passage highlights Jesus’ role as the Good Shepherd, who gathers the scattered, teaches the ignorant, and brings peace to the troubled. It also reminds us that even in our busiest moments, we are called to respond to the needs of others with compassion and care.
These readings challenge us to reflect on our own role as shepherds in the world. Like the disciples, we are called to rest in God’s presence, but we are also called to go out and care for those around us. In a world that often feels fragmented and divided, we are reminded that Christ is our peace and our unity. As we strive to live out this unity, we must also remember the compassion and wisdom of the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His flock. Let us ask for the grace to be shepherds after God’s own heart, leading others with love, justice, and peace.