16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B, Year I)
Community Word: Faith and trust in the Good Shepherd allows God’s grace to work in our life.
Theme: God’s grace works in our life when we compassionately care for our brethren.
Promise: “I will appoint shepherds, who will shepherd them so that…none will be missing.” Jer 23:4
Reflection:
The Gospel this Sunday shows us an image of Jesus as a compassionate shepherd… “His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like a sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things,” (Mk 6:34).
The present pandemic has brought extreme challenges that we never thought will happen in our life – challenges that have caused so much fear, grief, sufferings and difficulties to many people. We see failing economy, increasing unemployment, rising poverty, hopelessness, depression, fear of the future, insensitiveness of our leaders, corruptions and other problems. We are indeed in dire need of solutions to our financial, emotional and spiritual concerns.
But amidst all these, we who have faith in our God remain hopeful as we hang on to His word –
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you…cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. I will never leave you nor forsake you,” (Ps 55:22). We are blessed to belong to a community of faith. In the Gospel, Jesus instructed the Apostles to “rest for a while” – to rest in spite of the magnitude of the work to be done, to replenish their energies to prepare themselves. Jesus is telling us that we should also find time to rest and take the opportunity to reconnect to our God in prayer and to prepare ourselves to do God’s plan through us.
We are aware that we are called to follow the example of Jesus – to take care not only of our own needs but to go beyond taking extra mile, to extend help to the needy, the sick, the emotionally disturbed, the grieving, the depressed and the hopeless. And all these will be possible if we draw strength from prayers so we can respond to their needs with compassion. As expressed by our theme this week, we claim in faith that God’s overflowing grace will abound when we look after and care for others, especially the challenged, the weak, the lost and the marginalized. They need our compassion and support.
In faith we trust that God’s grace will see us through all these because Jesus has made us instruments and channels of His grace and love. The call is for us to have a willing spirit and a loving heart to respond to the needs of our brethren.
Though we too have our individual concerns, fears and doubts because of the uncertainties and struggles of the current situation of the world, the Lord is calling us and He gives us the grace to respond positively to His call to be His under shepherds. Just as Jesus, being the Good Shepherd, takes care of His flock, He promises the same for all of us – “I will appoint shepherds, who will shepherd them so that…none will be missing,” Jer 23:4. It is such a grace to be called, and when we respond, His grace will be sufficient for us as we perform the mission for the honor and glory of our Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Prayer
We thank you Lord for the mission you have entrusted to us, as shepherds to our family, in our workplace and in the BLD community. Grant us the grace and the gifts to be of service to your people. Give us strength, perseverance and dedication to be channels of love to the flock that You entrust to us. In Jesus’ mighty name. Our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph pray for us. Amen.
Reflection Guide Questions:
- How do you care for your mental, emotional and spiritual well-being to respond to God’s call of mission as shepherds?
- What can you do to help others in their search of God in this time of challenges?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
July 18, 2021 (Sun) – Jer 23:1-6/ Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6/ Eph 2:13-18/ Mk 6:30-34
July 19, 2021 (Mon) – Ex 14:5-18/ Ex 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6/ Mt 12:38-42
July 20, 2021 (Tue) – Ex 14:21-15:1/ Ex 15:8-9, 10, 12, 17/ Mt 12:46-50
July 21, 021 (Wed) – Ex 16:1-5, 9-15/ Ps 78:18-19, 23-24, 25-26, 27-28/ Mt 13:1-9
July 22, 2021 (Thurs) – Sg 3:1-4/ Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9/ Jn 20:1-2,11-18
July 23, 2021 (Fri) – Ex 20:1-17/ Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11/ Mt 13:18-23
July 24, 2021 (Sat) – Ex 24:3-8/ Ps 50:1b-2, 5-6, 14-15/ Mt 13:24-30
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
