July 20, 2025 - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
July 20, 2025 - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
1st Reading: Jeremiah 23:1–6
“Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock…”
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
2nd Reading: Ephesians 2:13–18
“He is our peace… who made both one and broke down the dividing wall…”
Gospel: Mark 6:30–34
“His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd…”
Theme: “The Heart of the Good Shepherd”
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, the Scriptures speak with one voice: God is not a distant ruler, but a Shepherd with a heart—a heart full of mercy, tenderness, and zeal for His flock.
In our first reading, the prophet Jeremiah thunders against the unfaithful shepherds—those religious leaders of Israel who scattered the flock, cared more for themselves than the people, and allowed the weak to be devoured.
“Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture…”
These are strong words. And they are not just historical. They are a perennial warning to every generation of clergy, bishops, and even to parents—who are the shepherds of the domestic church.
Do we guard and guide the souls entrusted to us?
Do we teach truth, or do we water it down?
Do we love the sheep—or the comfort of the pasture?
God sees. And when shepherds fail, He does not abandon His flock.
The Responsorial Psalm today—Psalm 23—is familiar to us. But familiarity should never breed indifference. This psalm isn’t poetry—it’s a declaration of faith.
“He guides me in right paths… even though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil.”
The Lord, our Shepherd, does not promise us a pasture without valleys. But He promises His presence in the valley. He leads, He feeds, He protects, and He restores.
And this points us to the Gospel.
In the Gospel from St. Mark, Jesus is tired. The apostles have returned from their mission, eager to rest, and so He invites them to come away for a while.
But as they arrive at the “deserted place,” the crowds are already there. Thousands of them. Hungry, lost, yearning.
And we read:
“His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.”
This is not merely emotion. The Greek word used here—σπλαγχνίζομαι—means a gut-wrenching compassion, a deep stirring of love.
Christ’s heart is moved. He sees souls wandering and vulnerable. And what does He do?
“He began to teach them many things.”
Notice that: He doesn’t first feed them with bread.
He feeds them with truth.
We are the sheep.
We are easily scattered. We thirst for clarity, meaning, and mercy. Christ sees us. He knows our struggles. And He offers Himself as the Shepherd of our souls.
He speaks first through truth.
Many today want miracles or comfort, but avoid truth. Yet Our Lord teaches first—because truth sets us free, even before bread fills our stomachs.
He gives us shepherds—if we pray for them.
Let us pray for holy, courageous priests and bishops who preach Christ, not culture; truth, not trends.
We are called to shepherd others.
Parents, teachers, older siblings, godparents—you are shepherds. Your example, your words, and your silence shape souls.
Christ is not a hired hand. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.
Let Him lead you. Let Him teach you. Let Him feed you—in the Word, in the Eucharist, in the quiet pasture of prayer.
And may we never grow numb to the voice that calls us by name.
“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
Amen.