Readings: 1st Reading; Jeremiah 23 : 1 – 6.

                Responsorial Psalm 23, ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want’!

                2nd Reading; Ephesians 2 : 13 – 18.

                Gospel; Mark 6 : 30 – 34.

Jeremiah has been in trouble for speaking the Word of God. In the first reading, we hear him denouncing the leaders of Israel as shepherds who have scattered their flock, God’s chosen people, Israel. He ends up by announcing that God will send a true, just, tender and wise shepherd King from the lineage of David. Our Gospel narrates of the apostles giving reports of their mission of preaching, healing and driving out demons from those to which they were sent. Jesus knows that they have done well and desires that  they should have a rest, though the crowds quickly learn of their intended place of rest and arrive there before them. Jesus gives up the intended rest and takes care of these crowds who are like lost sheep. The words of Jeremiah in the first reading are revealed in the kind of Shepherd Jesus is. One who gives His flock what and when is good for the sheep.

What does it mean to be a good shepherd? The image of God as a Shepherd tells us a lot about God’s care for us. A Kom child who takes care of or has taken care of goats/sheep can easily relate to this. He knows what it requires to bring his flock to fresh pasture before sunrise. It is not easy to bring the sheep, tether them securely in the early morning dew, and turn up once or twice during the day to check that they are not entangled, change their locations to greener pasture or seek the loosened stray ones and finally bring them back home to a safe bane at dusk. This does not only require skill but also courage as it endangers the young lad who is likely to do battle with dangerous wolves, bears, jackals and hyenas that feed on sheep/goats. He grieves when his sheep/goats hurt or do not grow fat.

I can boast of only one chapter in the Bible that I can recite with familiarity and some degree of accuracy. I guess you know it, and can too. It is Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want, …” This is the Responsorial Psalm for the readings of today. It throws brighter light on how our Good Shepherd is. One important thing that the Psalm teaches me is to look at our world without illusions. To do good to myself and others with the understanding that the world is not perfect. The world is dangerous, there are enemies, there is failure, there are challenges and there is shattering reality of loss but God is there to take care of me, even as a shepherd takes care of his sheep from predators and threats of accidents.

I have heard some preachers insinuate that when you  have faith, no evil will befall you. You will be safe even in the midst of dangerous unpredictable circumstances, you can take dangerous poisonous substances, tread on snares without being harmed, etc. My reaction to such preaching is that you can believe it but DON’T try it as you are likely to end up in the mortuary or with as many physical problems as theological ones. This Psalm tells me that there are dangerous realities and unpleasant people who will want to embitter my life, as much as it gives me a priceless reassurance in a friendless world, that God is with me, not to replace malicious people and circumstances or my vulnerability when it comes to matters of life, health or being loved but “to guide me through the valley of the shadow of death”.

A skeptic might quickly ask me, ‘If the Lord is my shepherd, if it is His responsibility to keep me safe, why isn’t He doing a better job of it?’ My answer lies in this Psalm. God cares for me as a good shepherd cares for each one of his flock and He grieves for me in my afflictions as much! He is my shepherd and grieves when I suffer and suffers with me when some of my brothers/sisters are wicked to me or when they hurt me or kill me! The Psalmist teaches me to see the world without the illusions that nothing bad will ever happen to me because I have a good shepherd! No! He says, I will hurt but will heal with God’s help!. I will grieve but will grow whole again with His blessings!

God calls us good wo/men to not only feed His flock but to do so faithfully. He does not call us to be judges, prosecutors or accusers but rather to be Good Shepherds! Good shepherds are those who see through the eyes of ‘their sheep’. Remember that you cannot understand how it feels to be poor if you have always been rich. You may not know how much hurt it gives except you have been hurt. You may never know what it means to have to make it if you have always had it made for you! You only become stronger, wiser, more sympathetic and understanding to your sheep when you have had the chance to experience their fears, trials and temptations.

As Christians, pastors or Christian leaders, we are God’s anointed Shepherds! Though we may have our frailties, we also have the power to slay even the ‘Goliaths’ on our shepherding paths. It is our frail sides that enable us to see through the eyes of our sheep/lambs. I understand, this is the reason why Jesus is referred to in His humanity as ‘the Lamb of God’. He is moved with pity in today’s Gospel for the crowds who are like lost sheep without a shepherd. We know a good shepherd by even his smallest actions toward his sheep. We are all called by our Baptism to be good shepherds in our gestures to one another. We pray today not to be shepherds who scatter the flock. We pray not to be like the priest and the levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan or like Cain, or Jacob in his early life, but to be true good shepherds like the Good Samaritan.

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for being my shepherd, guarding, protecting and always leading me to greener and refreshing pastures. Look upon me and take  pity on me, for at times, I too am like sheep. Save me from a blind following of the herd. Help me to follow you, even if it means leaving the crowd and walking a lonely path.

Lord, lead me from death to life, from error to truth, from despair to hope, from fear to trust, from hate to love and from war to peace. May I listen and be able to recognise your voice and trust in your care and help in all circumstances.  You carry all my hopes and dreams. You alone can give me what I hunger and thirst for – Our Heavenly Father’s love. May I always find rest and refuge in the shelter of your presence. Amen.

Have a Blessed Week!