16th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 18 July 2021
Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6: Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34
(Picture courtesy: Jean-Marc Arakelian) |
1. God decides our destiny and not the leaders
Perhaps, we should use in our context the word "leader" instead of "shepherd." In the Old Testament, another title for prophets and kings is the shepherd. What good shepherds do? Basically, they take care of the sheep with utmost interest and strength. Prophet Jeremiah is upset with those who were called to take care of the people of God. Instead of being good and caring, the leaders have become corrupt, unjust and wicked. The leaders of Israel have been godless and fanciful in their teachings and misled and scattered God's people. Prophet Jeremiah says: "Their course is evil, and their might is not right. Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their wickedness" (Jer 23:10-11). These strong words of the prophet tell us how ugly the situation of those who were supposed to take care of. The prophets and leaders of the time of Jeremiah were no better than what we have today in our country.