16th Sunday B

Welcome to our Bible Study

16th Sunday in the Ordinary Time B19 July 2015

In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgyAs aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6• 1 Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the

flock of my pasture, says the LORD. 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him: "The LORD our justice."

The focus is on leadership (shepherd).

1st Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6Bad shepherds• 1 Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,

says the LORD. 2 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.

Good shepherds• 3 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. 4 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. 5 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. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him: "The LORD our justice."

Observe the difference between the two shepherds.

1st Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6Bad shepherds• 1 Woe to the shepherds

who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the LORD. 2 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.

Commentary:

• Textual Context: There are 52 chapters in the book of Jeremiah.

Part I Chapters 1-25

Part II Chapters 26-36

Part III Chapters 37-45

Part IV Chapters 46-51

Part V Chapter 52

• Our reading belongs to Part I, which is composed of oracles and accounts involving the evils of Judah under the three kings: Josiah (1-6), Jehoiakim (7-20) and Zedekiah (21-24).

• Historical Context: Zedekiah is the last king of Judah (just before the Exile).

• Jeremiah prophesied during a very difficult time in Ancient Near East (627-582 BC).

Text without context is pretext.

1st Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6Bad shepherds• 1 Woe to the shepherds

who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture, says the LORD. 2 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.

Commentary:

• In v.1, God objects to leaders, who mislead and scatter his people.

• In v.2, God announces the punishment for their evil deeds (for not caring for his people).

1st Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6Good shepherds• 3 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. 4 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.

• In v.3, God himself promises to gather his people together back to their meadow, where they will reproduce.

• In v.4, God promises to appoint good shepherds, so that his people will not live in fear and no one will be lost.

1st Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6Righteous shoot of David• 5 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. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him: "The LORD our justice."

• In v.5, God promises to raise a righteous leader (shoot).

• He will govern with wisdom, justice and righteousness.

• In v.6, both Judah and Israel will dwell in peace and security.

Reflections on the 1st reading• In one way or another, we are leaders.• Leadership is one that unites the community, that makes

them feel secure.• Leadership is not one that terrorizes and victimizes the

people. It is not tyranny.• A good sign of leadership is when there is abundance of

food and the people live in peace, harmony and security.• Today we talk about collective leadership, collegial

leadership or servant-leadership.• Are you a leader? Can you work with a group? Do you

discern with others?• How is leadership (in government, private and in the

church) exercised in our present context?

Resp. Ps 23:1-3. 3-4. 5. 6• 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 valleyI fear no evil; for you are at my sidewith your rod and your staffthat give me courage.

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

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

Resp. Ps 23:1-3. 3-4. 5. 6• R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd;

there is nothing I shall want.

• 2 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.3 In verdant pastures he gives me repose;beside restful waters he leads me;he refreshes my soul.

• 3 He guides me in right pathsfor his name's sake.4 Even though I walk in the dark valleyI fear no evil; for you are at my sidewith your rod and your staffthat give me courage.

• 5 You spread the table before mein the sight of my foes;you anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.

• 6 Only goodness and kindness follow meall the days of my life;and I shall dwell in the house of the LORDfor years to come.

Commentary• The psalm is classified as a Trust Song. It

expresses confidence in God as a shepherd. It belongs to the first of the 5 parts of the Book of Psalms.

• The psalm summarizes what a shepherd should do.

• In v.2, the psalmist says, with God as shepherd, he is not in want.

• Vv.3-4 state the reasons why:– He gives repose– He leads to restful waters– He refreshes my soul– He guides me– You are at my side (change to 2nd person)– You give me courage (change to 2nd p).

• In v.5, God feeds him; he anoints with oil, in 2nd person)

• In v.6, with God as the shepherd, the psalmist is assured that he will not wander away from God.

Reflections on the Psalm

• Like the psalmist, we must be able to affirm God’s leadership.

• We can do it only if we allow ourselves to be led by him.

• His words give us direction.• He keeps us away from danger.• We can imitate God’s leadership.

2nd Reading: Ephesians 2:13-18• 13 In Christ Jesus you who once were far off

have become near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, 15 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, 16 and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, 18 for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

The focus is on Jesus as peacemaker.

Observe the underlined words.

2nd Reading: Ephesians 2:13-18• 13 In Christ Jesus you who

once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, 15 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, 16 and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, 18 for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Textual Context:

OUTLINE 1. Opening Address (1:1-2)2. Doctrinal Exposition (1:3-3:21) A. Divine Origin of the Church (1:3-14) B. Prayer for the Church (1:15-23) C. Building Up the Church (2:1-22) D. Mystery of the Church (3:1-13) E. Prayer for the Church (3:14-21)3. Moral Exhortation (4:1-6:20) A. Unity of the Church (4:1-16) B. Moral Maturity in the Church (4:17-5:20)

C. Household Life in the Church (5:21-6:9)

D. Spiritual Warfare in the Church (6:10-20)

4. Closing Farewell (6:21-24)

2nd Reading: Ephesians 2:13-18• 13 In Christ Jesus you who

once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, 15 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, 16 and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, 18 for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Commentary• In v.13, the author (Paul!)

recognizes the power of Christ.• Through his blood, we are brought

near to him.• V.14 states Christ’s identity: he is

our peace.• Through his flesh (body), Christ

destroyed the source of conflict (division).

• V.15 identifies the source of such conflict as the law and its claims.

• V.15 also states the purpose of eliminating the law:– To create in Christ one new

person, not dichotomized, not divided.

• As a result, Christ establishes peace.

2nd Reading: Ephesians 2:13-18• 13 In Christ Jesus you who

once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, 15 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, 16 and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, 18 for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

• V.16 continues the purpose of eliminating the law: – To be reconciled with God, in

one body (in a reconciled and integrated body).

• V.16 also indicates the method used by Christ to attain his purpose:– Through the cross which spells

the death of self-contradiction.• V.17 informs us that Christ

preaches peace to everyone.• V.18 affirms, we have access

to the Father in the Spirit through Christ (Trinitarian formula).

Reflections on the 2nd reading• We can never experience peace if we are

divided within.• The only formula for peace has long been

presented by Christ.– We become one, complete, and integrated persons by

accepting the cross (the ways, the person) of Christ.

• There is no other way; there are no two or three ways to peace within and without.

• Do you have peace in the Church?• Follow the formula of Christ and you will have

peace.

Gospel Reading: Mark 6:30-34• 30 The apostles gathered together with Jesus and

reported all they had done and taught. 31 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. 32 So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. 33 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. 34 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 focus is on shepherding the people.

Gospel Reading: Mark 6:30-34Setting• 30 The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they

had done and taught. Rest• 31 He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place

and rest a while." People• People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no

opportunity even to eat. Deserted place• 32 So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People• 33 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.

Jesus and people• 34 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.

A simple outline!

Mark’s General Structure (Reid)

I. Prologue 1,1-13

II. Galilee 1,14-8,26

III. The Way 8,27-10,52

IV. Jerusalem 11,1-15,41

V. Epilogue 15,42-16,8

The structure is chiastic.

The readings belongs to Part II- Galilean Ministry.

Gospel Reading: Mark 6:30-34Setting• 30 The apostles gathered together with

Jesus and reported all they had done and taught.

Rest• 31 He said to them, "Come away by

yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."

People• People were coming and going in great

numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.

Deserted place• 32 So they went off in the boat by

themselves to a deserted place. People• 33 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.

Jesus and people• 34 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.

Commentary• Textual Context: The apostles

come back to Jesus after being sent two by two. This passage leads to the Feeding of the 5,000.

• In v.30, the apostles report their accomplishments to Jesus.

• In v.31, Jesus invites them for relaxation in some quiet place.

• V.31b tells us that people are coming and going to them. As a result, they don’t even have time to eat.

Gospel Reading: Mark 6:30-34Setting• 30 The apostles gathered together with

Jesus and reported all they had done and taught.

Rest• 31 He said to them, "Come away by

yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."

People• People were coming and going in great

numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat.

Deserted place• 32 So they went off in the boat by

themselves to a deserted place. People• 33 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.

Jesus and people• 34 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.

• In v.32, finally, they embark to a secluded place.

• In v.33, people get ahead of them.

• The people really want to listen to them.

• In v.34, Jesus sees a captured audience. His heart sinks.

• They hunger for spiritual food.

• So Jesus teach them a lot of things.

Reflections on the gospel reading• Like the people in the gospel, we must draw

closer to Jesus to listen to him.• God will speak to us if we constantly seek him.• We will not go home empty handed, when we

encounter him.• As we listen to his voice, we will be filled with

wisdom and assurances of God’s love.• We will be strengthened; we will be transformed.• Jesus is a leader par excellence.• How do you evaluate the leadership in your

context (workplace, organization or church)?

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm

• The first reading warns bad leaders who victimizes their constituents.

• The psalm affirms God as the good shepherd.• The second reading affirms Jesus as a good

leader, who makes you integrated and peaceful.• The gospel reading describes Jesus’ leadership

in terms of non-stop preaching to the people, who are hungry for his words.

How to develop your homily / sharing

• Begin by talking about crisis of leadership.• Our leaders make money out of their offices.• They do not care for the interest of the common

good at all.• Many of them have no moral authority.• They are just there because they have been

groomed by their parents to become next in power.

• They become leaders without moral formation and conscience.

• They make important decisions in terms of votes, not in God’s terms.

• This kind of leadership must end.

• In the first reading, Jeremiah warns the leaders, who are negligent of their duties as shepherds.

• They scatter their flocks. They have no affection for them. They don’t care.

• God will soon punish them for their evil deeds.• God will replace them with better ones who can

provide more food on the table.

• In the second reading, Jesus, as a leader, brings peace and reconciliation through his blood and crucified flesh.

• He chooses to suffer himself in order to bring about peace.

• Jesus has no political ambitions.• He knows his limits.

• In the gospel, Jesus is presented as a good leader.

• Jesus knows how to take care of his fellow workers.

• He gives them rest (to recoup their energies).

• Clearly, he is a spiritual leader.• For this, people flock to him for his words, not for

material food.• As a leader, Jesus guides them to the right path.

• What happens when we have bad leaders? • People will be scattered, will go hungry. No one

will live in peace and bad leaders will be punished.

• Leaders must have high moral and spiritual values.

• Hence, the need to form them at the tender age. • You cannot form them anymore when they have

tasted power, money and influence.• How easy it is to corrupt the youth in the SK!

• Training for good leaders starts at home. • Leadership can be fostered through leadership

trainings, by listening to the success stories of the good leaders (of good church leaders, of successful entrepreneurs).

• In our parish, whom do you consider as a good leader?

• It is time for the pastor and pastoral team to examine their own style of leadership (is it facilitative, formative, pastoral, nurturing, inspiring or divisive, dictatorial, oppressive, taking advantage of people?)

• We must recognize that we have to pattern our leadership to that of Christ.

• Jesus is the perfect model of good leadership.

• The eucharist is a sign of Jesus’ tender leadership.

• In the eucharist, Jesus as a leader comes to nurture us.

• In the eucharist, Jesus teaches us that we can have peace only when we share ourselves with one another.

Our Context of Sin and Death

• Corrupt government leaders

• Corrupt church leaders (not accountable)

• Without imagination• Incompetent• Undedicated • Broken promises

• Transparency• Leaders who think of the

common good• Facilitative• Responsible• With a vision• Rallying point

Suggested Songs

• Paano Namin Masasabi– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ICZUOf_jNo

• Ang Panginoon ay aking pastol– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGnh_6Pggf4– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh4Pclk-OcM

• The Lord is my Shepherd, Hontiveros• The Lord is my Shepherd, Tibong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ekQdpjS4VA