Texts taken from the Missalette “On Your Word” July-August 2021

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
4th week psalter

FIRST READING

From the book of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 23:1-6)
Thus says the Lord: “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture. Oracle of the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who are tending my people: You have scattered my sheep, driven them away, and have not been concerned about them; now I will punish you for the evil of your deeds. Oracle of the Lord. I myself will gather the remnant of my sheep from all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their pastures; they will be fruitful and multiply. I will appoint shepherds over them who will tend them, so that they will no longer fear or be dismayed; not one will be missing. Oracle of the Lord. Behold, the days are coming - oracle of the Lord - when I will raise up for David a righteous shoot, who will reign as a true king and be wise and practice justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will dwell in security, and they will call him by this name: The Lord our justice.” The word of God.

Commentary on the first reading

The entire biblical story is traversed, along with many other themes, by a precious thread. It helps us interpret many actions that take place throughout the sacred history of both the Old and New Testaments. It concerns the enormous difference between true and false prophets; authentic shepherds and those who are not; apostles and those who boast of being “super-apostles” solely on the basis of their human qualities. False prophets sell themselves to unlawfully established power and plot against, for example, Jeremiah, a genuine messenger of the Lord. Bad shepherds “destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture,” but they will come up against God's justice. But there is more: we find a promise from the Lord that will find its complete fulfillment in Christ: “Behold, the days are coming - oracle of the Lord - when I will raise up for David a righteous shoot, who will reign as a true king and be wise and practice justice and righteousness in the land.” We find a king finally worthy of the name: only God truly deserves it. The other “kings” had been demanded by the people solely to escape from the true God.

SECOND READING

From the Letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians (Eph 2:13-18)
Brothers and sisters, now 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 the two one, breaking down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh. Thus he abolished the law with its commandments and decrees, to create in himself, of the two, one new person, making peace, and to reconcile both with God in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death in himself. He came to announce peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. Through him we can both approach the Father in one Spirit. The word of God.

Commentary on the second reading

Paul recalls to the community of Ephesus the time when it was still pagan, far away, and also physically separated from the Jews by the dividing wall that separated the courtyard of the Temple of Jerusalem into distinct sections. Now Christ's peace has put an end to division and established one people. Christ abolished the law made up of prohibitions, rules, and prescriptions in order to bring to fulfillment the Father's true Law, which unites all people into one people, indeed one body, without further hostility, distinctions, or privileges. Jesus is the way that brings all humanity to the Father through the Holy Spirit. Beautiful words, but demanding to put into practice in life; they question us about when we have felt separated from others and the reasons that caused this separation. They also question us about when we have felt far from God, when we have felt him to be deaf and indifferent. We will still experience moments of tearing apart, but Sacred Scripture will continue to enlighten, comfort, and guide us along the path of life.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Mark (Mk 6:30-34)
At that time, the apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. Many, however, saw them leaving and recognized them, and they hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived 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. The Gospel of the Lord.

Commentary on the Gospel of the day

Missionary activity requires moments of reflection, contemplation, and prayer that give it intensity and strength. For this reason, Jesus invites the apostles to withdraw to a secluded place and rest for a while. Away from the crowd, whose requests leave no room to breathe, they can evaluate their missionary work and, especially, remain in peace and calm with Jesus. Jesus' invitation to stop and be with him, even if only for a short time, contrasts with today's hectic life; it runs up against the rules of a civilization of instant gratification, where the watchword seems to be to hurry. Until the inevitable question arises: what is it all for? That is when we need to stop and recognize his presence. Withdrawing to a secluded place helps us strengthen our relationship with him, so that he may fill us with new energy that comes from his Word. This gives us new life. In this way we can communicate all that we have received from the Lord: his love, his energy, and his Word, which makes us new creations. Lord Jesus, help us remain in silent companionship with you.