Sunday Lectionary: If you want something done properly…

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: 22nd July 2012

The theme throughout the Readings this week is that of shepherding.

In our First Reading the Prophet Jeremiah berates the leaders of Israel who have failed in their duty to carefully shepherd the people. In response to their failure, God promises that He Himself will gather His people together and that there will come from the line of David an exemplary shepherd.

This good shepherd is, of course, Jesus Christ and this is demonstrated in our Gospel this week when we hear about our Lord’s compassion on the people “for they were like sheep without a shepherd”.

Likewise, in our Second Reading, St. Paul praises the wisdom of God who, through Christ, has “broke[n] down the dividing wall of enmity”, thus uniting two flocks, the flock of the the Jews and the flock of the Gentiles. These two flocks are gathered into the Church under one Shepherd, Christ.

And so in our Psalm we praise the Lord, our Shepherd, who is by our side even though the “dark valley” and who leads us “beside restful waters”  and to “verdant pastures”.

As the Lord “spread[s] the table before [us]”  this week in the Eucharistic feast, let us celebrate our Good Shepherd, who loves so much that He laid down His life for us, His sheep.

 

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Reading I: Jeremiah 23:1-6

The Kingdom of Judah has surrendered to the Babylonians and there has been a mass deportation. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon has installed Zedekiah as his puppet king in Judah. In this passage, Jeremiah rebukes the rulers who failed in their duty.  He then promises to eventually bring back His people back from exile and raise up for them a worthy Davidic King.

 Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the LORD. Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who shepherd my people: You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds. I myself will gather the remnant of my flock from all the lands to which I have driven them and bring them back to their meadow; there they shall increase and multiply. I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing, says the LORD.

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; as king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him: “The LORD our justice.”

Questions:

• What complaint does the Lord make?
• What imagery does He use?
• Who were “the shepherds”?  How did they “scattered [the] sheep and drive them away”? Who are the “sheep”?
• What solution does God say He will provide? Who are the “shepherds” he says He will appoint?
• What will the result be?
• What is the promise made at the end of the passage?
• To what do “Judah” and “Israel” refer?

Commentary:

 Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the LORD.

The “shepherds” appear to primarily refer to the Kings, but it may also be applied more broadly to those in charge which would have included the priests and religious leaders. The “sheep” are the people of Judah.

The use of shepherd imagery is found throughout the Old Testament:

“May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” – Numbers 27:16-17

Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’” – 1 Kings 22:17

I will lead you through the heart of Judea until you come to Jerusalem, and there in its center I will set up your throne. You will drive them like sheep that have no shepherd, and not even a dog will growl at you. This was told to me in advance and announced to me, and I have been sent to tell you.” – Judith 11:19

The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd. – Zechariah 10:2

I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. – Ezekiel 34:23

The leaders of the people have failed though in their shepherding duties.

Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who shepherd my people: You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds. 

Because the bad shepherds have scattered the flock, there will be punishment.

There is a parallel in the text with the same Hebrew root word. The NIV has it “bestowed care…bestow punishment”.

I myself will gather the remnant of my flock…

If you want a job done properly, do it yourself! Since the shepherds failed, the Lord will do it Himself.

… from all the lands to which I have driven them…

Although the shepherds are blamed, the Lord says that He ultimately drove them away (for violating His covenant).

…and bring them back to their meadow; there they shall increase and multiply.

The Lord will take good care of His flock. He will bring them back from exile.

Here we have the same command found in Genesis: “increase and multiply” (and he wasn’t just talking about doing arithmetic 😉 )

I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and none shall be missing, says the LORD.

New shepherds will be appointed. These shall not fail. The people will rest securely, trusting in their shepherd, like David in the Responsorial Psalm.

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; as king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land.

A Messiah is promised, a descendant of David, who will be a good King:

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. – Isaiah 11:1

(Jesse was David’s father)

This verse finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security.

The Messiah will come for both the Northern Kingdom (“Israel”) and the Southern Kingdom (“Judah”). There will again be unity.

This is the name they give him: “The LORD our justice.”

This is a play on the puppet king’s name “Zedakiah”, which means “my justice is God”.

 

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6

Given that the theme of the Readings this week is that of shepherding, it is no surprise that the Responsorial Psalm is drawn from probably the most well-known psalm, Psalm 23.

I will provide some brief notes here, but I have written commentary on this psalm before so for a more thorough treatment I would suggest you consult those notes.

 R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.

He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.

You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

 Questions:

• Who authored this psalm?
• How does the psalmist refer to the Lord?
• What is the main characteristic of God which is emphasized in this psalm?
• What Sacramental imagery can you see in this psalm?
• To what does “the house of the Lord” refer?

Commentary:

 R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

This Psalm was composed by King David who, as a boy worked as a shepherd. David now describes God in terms of his former occupation.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.

A good shepherd feeds and waters his sheep. God is no exception.

One could see Eucharistic imagery here in that Jesus nurtures us with His Body and Blood in the Eucharist.

He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.

The Lord guides David through life and because the Lord is with Him, he is confident.

You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Again, we could see this verse pointing towards the Eucharistic banquet.

Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

David expresses complete trust in the Lord.

The “house of the Lord” would have referred to the Temple, but we could also understand it as Heaven.

 

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Reading II: Ephesians 2:13-18

Last week we heard from the Letter to the Ephesians, after skipping a few verses, we continue this week. Paul describes about the reconciliation between Jew and Gentile through the blood of Christ.

Brothers and sisters: In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. 

For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Questions:

• What is meant by “far off” and “become near by”?
• What is the “dividing wall” referred to here?
• How and in what way did Christ “abolish…the law with its commandments and legal claims”?
• What metaphor does Paul use?
• What is meant by “far off” and “those who were near”?
• How have you experienced this peace in your own family? How have walls been knocked down?

Commentary:

Brothers and sisters: In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. 

Previously, Gentiles (those “far off”) were not part of the Covenant with God which was enjoyed by the Jews. However, through Jesus’ atoning death Gentiles may enter into Covenant with God through faith and Baptism.

For he is our peace, …

Through His sacrifice, Christ has brought peace:

…and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – Colossians 1:20-22

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

The peace which Christ brings is the reconciliation of mankind with God. Through this peace we are reconciled with one another.

…he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, …

This refers to:

1. The animosity between the Jews and the Gentiles. The Jews had a very low opinion of the Gentiles, not least because of their idolatry. Israel separated itself from the other nations so as to insulate herself from their immorality.

You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own. – Leviticus 20:26

2. The physical 6ft wall which separated Jews and Gentiles in the Temple. The Gentiles were allowed in the outer court, but could not enter the inner court under pain of death:

“Thus was the first enclosure, in the midst of which, and not far from it, was the second, to be gone up to by a few steps; this was encompassed by a stone wall for a partition, with an inscription, which forbade any foreigner to go in, under pain of death.” – Flavius Josephus, “Antiquities of the Jews”, 15.11,5§417

In fact, Paul was nearly killed when it was thought he had brought a Gentile into the inner Temple:

… “Fellow Israelites, help us! …[Paul] has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple)

…Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple… While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. – Acts 21:28-31

3. The veil in the temple which separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place.

…through his flesh, …

His sacrifice on the cross (which is also made present in the Eucharist)

…abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, …

Jesus said that He would fulfill the Law…

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” – Matthew 5:17

…and this is what He did through His sacrifice. What is actually abolished are the legal precepts which separated Jew and Gentile:

• Circumcision
• Animal sacrifice
• Keeping kosher (dietary laws)
• Festival days

With these abolished, Jew and Gentile are now one in Christ. The moral law, however, remains.

…that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. 

Jesus makes the two one:

“Don’t you see? The Greek does not have to become a Jew. Rather both enter into a new  condition. His aim is not to bring Greek believers into being as different kinds of Jews but  rather to create both anew. Rightly he uses the term ‘create’ rather than ‘change’ to point out the great effect of what God has done. Even though the creation is invisible it is no less a creation of its Creator” – Saint John Chrysostom (A.D. 392-397), “Homilies On The Epistle To The Ephesians”, 5,2,13-15

He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, …

This fulfills the words of Isaiah:

I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.” – Isaiah 57:18-19

In Paul’s words we see how Christ brings together both the Gentiles (“far off”) and the Jews (“near”).

…for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father

Paul uses a Trinitarian formula here:

for through [Jesus] we have both access in one Spirit to the Father

It is through Christ that we have access to the Father, whereas previously the veil in the Temple limited access to God:

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. – Mark 15:37-38

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body… – Hebrews 10:19-20

Before we were slaves and we have become sons and heirs:

What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. – Galatians 4:1-5

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. – Romans 8:15-17 

 

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Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

After last week’s Gospel, in which Jesus had sent out the Twelve, Mark takes a few verses to relate the martyrdom of John the Baptist (Mark 6:14-29) .Mark then picks up the story of the Twelve again as they come back and report to Jesus…

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Questions:

• What is the context for this passage?
• What is the issue?
• What is Jesus’ solution?
• What happens when He tries to take His disciples away?
• How does Jesus respond? How would you respond?
• What event happens right after this?

Commentary:

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. 

Jesus had sent the Twelve Apostles out to preach and heal. They now return to Him with a report of everything that happened.

For they return to the fountain-head whence the streams flow; those who are sent by God, always offer up thanks for those things which they have received – Pseudo-Jerome

Let us also learn, when we are sent on any mission, not to go far away, and not to overstep the bounds of the office committed, but to go often to him, who sends us, and report all that we have done and taught; for we must not only teach but act. – Theophylact

This is only one of two places in Mark where he uses the word “apostle”. In the New Testament the word is used to refer to:

1. The Twelve

2. Paul

3. A larger, more general group which included Barnabas and James, as well as possibly Andronicus and Junias

He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”  People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. 

Jesus wants to take His disciples away on retreat! they have been labouring hard in the vineyards of the Kingdom.

…Christ makes His disciples rest, that men who are set over others may learn, that they who labour in any work or in the word deserve rest, and ought not to labour continually. – Theophylact

I think this is some good advice for all who minister in the Kingdom. Those who ignore this advice will likely burn-out.

People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them. 

The crowds find out where they’ve going run ahead of them. Don’t let them get away!

St. Bede says that in taking the Twelve away He was also testing the crowds:

The disciples did not enter into the ship alone, but taking up the Lord with them, they went to a desert place, as Matthew shews. Here He tries the faith of the multitude, and by seeking a desert place He would see whether they care to follow Him. And they follow Him, and not on horseback, nor in carriages, but laboriously coming on foot, they shew how great is their anxiety for their salvation. – St. Bede

Theophylact draws a spiritual lesson from the action of the crowds:

So do thou not wait for Christ till He Himself call you, but outrun Him, and come before Him. – Theophylact

He also compares Jesus the Good Shepherd to the other shepherds of Israel at the time:

The Pharisees being ravening wolves did not feed the sheep, but devoured them; for which reason they gather themselves to Christ, the true Shepherd, who gave them spiritual food, that is, the word of God. – Theophylact

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Jesus had incorporated shepherd imagery into His teaching:

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.– Matthew 18:12-13

…and also described Himself as the Good Shepherd:

 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father —and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. – John 10:11-16

…and this is demonstrated by Jesus compassion, rather than annoyance, for the crowds.

Later in his epistle, St. Peter describes Jesus as a shepherd:

For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:25

The Apostles themselves would later become shepherds, particularly Peter:

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. – John 21:15-17

At the end of this Gospel passage the stage is set for the “Feeding of the multitudes”, which we’ll hear next week…