16th Sunday Homilies

Looking for a Shepherd by Fr Robert Barron

Jeremiah prophesying at a very difficult time. Foreign army threatening Israel’s very existence. Jeremiah railing against bad leadership of Israel: “Woe to the shepherds…

“I myself will gather the remnants of my flock… and bring them back to their meadow…”

God Himself will become the shepherd.

“Behold the days are coming when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David…” — now we hear a human figure, descendent of David, will become the shepherd.

Which is it? God or descendent of David? Biblical answer is both.

Now we can understand Gospels more clearly. Jesus presented as a son of David.

Apostles gathered around Him in the Gospel today. Apostle = to send out. Apostles were sent out to gather together Israel.

“His heart was moved with pity for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.”

2nd reading: “In Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ”. Christ = Messiah.

What about us?

We are all looking for direction. We are looking for someone to lead us, give us purpose and hope.

They always tend to let us down.