Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": 16th Sun. in Ordinary TIme

'Sheep' tie bar: You misleading shepherds scattered my sheep, but I'll appoint true shepherds.... (1st reading); The Lord is my Shepherd (psalm)

'Cross' pin: Christ reconciled Jew and Gentile with God through the cross (2nd reading)

Listen

Mele Kalikimaka/ Anderson (Christmas in July celebration at my parish, recruiting volunteers early for Christmas setup/strike; Hawaiian for summer dress code)

Read

Jer 23:1-6 Woe to you shepherds who mislead and scatter my flock! I'll punish you for driving my sheep away instead of caring for them. I'll gather the remnant of my flock and bring them back to where they'll multiply. I'll appoint shepherds for them so they won't need to fear, and none shall be missing. I'll raise up a righteous shoot to David, "The Lord our justice," to reign wisely, doing what's just and right. Judah shall be saved; Israel shall dwell in security.

Ps 23:1-6 "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want." You give me repose; you lead, refresh, and guide me. I'm not afraid; for you're at my side giving me courage. You spread the table before me and anoint me. Only goodness and kindness follow me, and I'll dwell in your house.

Eph 2:13-18 In Christ you've become near. He is our peace; he broke down the wall of enmity, creating in himself one new person, reconciling Jew and Gentile with God through the cross, and preaching peace to all. Through him we have access to the Father.

Mk 6:30-34 “Come away by yourselves and rest.” Many were coming and going, with no chance to eat; they went in the boat to a deserted place. Many came to know where Jesus was and hastened there, arriving first. When he saw the crowd, he was moved with pity, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them.

Reflect

Creighton: Jeremiah’s oracle rebukes the failed leadership of Israel’s and Judah’s kings as shepherds who haven't cared for their flocks. The Lord promises a shepherd-king/Messiah to carry out the role as the Father intended. / In the gospel, Jesus acts like a shepherd, moved with pity, and leading by teaching.

One Bread One Body: "Heartbreak hotel": When people ruined Jesus' vacation, he felt compassion for them and taught them. Do I have a heart for people who demand much from me? Will I lay down my life to feed the sheep? Jesus gave us a new heart at baptism....

Passionist: Biblical pity moves you to exclaim, “By God's grace, I am what I am.” We all share human weakness and need one greater than ourselves to save us. Jesus was moved by the crowd's suffering. We too need to be moved by the suffering and the downtrodden. / For the prophet, a shepherd is someone who assumes the responsibility of leadership. “I will appoint shepherds who will shepherd them so that they won't need to fear.” We too are shepherds, leading by word and deed, called to have hearts moved with pity. As God touches us with love, may we be filled with pity toward all who need our love.

DailyScripture.net: Shepherding is older than farming; it took skill, courage, attention, and care. Strays must be returned lest they die, and shepherds had to fight predators. Sheep and shepherd lived together, and sheep recognized their shepherd's voice and came when called. The Old Testament spoke of God as shepherd. The Lord is my shepherd.... Give ear, Shepherd of Israel.... We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. The Messiah is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people: He will feed his flock like a shepherd.... Jesus said he was the Good Shepherd. When he saw people in need of care, he responded with compassion and personal love....

Trumped saint, thanks to Universalis: John Plessington, priest, martyr: “If a priest ordained by authority from Rome is to die as a traitor, what's to become of all Church of England clergy? The Church of Rome ordained their first bishops....”

Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress"