TEACHING PEACE.

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR B.
July 19, 2009.
(First reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6) (Psalm 23:1-6)
(Second reading: Ephesians 2:13-18) (Gospel: Mark 6:30-34)


TEACHING PEACE.

At the sight of "vast crowds" who live "like sheep without a shepheard", Jesus is "moved with pity for them" and begins "teaching them at great length" the Good News of peace, justice, unity, equality and respect for one another.

Saint Paul explains how Jesus teaches: "Through his blood" and through his cross [freely accepted] Jesus "breaks down the dividing wall of enmity".

That is to say, those who were enemies are no longer enemies because, through his cross, Jesus "creates in himself one new person instead of two, thus establishing peace... reconciling both with God, in one body" (Eph. 2:13-17).

Any other way of teaching is nothing but a way of misleading people.

"Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock". To them the Lord says "I will take care to punish your evil deeds" (Jeremiah 23:1-2).

The leaders who lead by "evil deeds" subject their fellow human beings to poverty, misery, wars and all sorts of suffering individual and collective.

Under those conditions, the vast majorities of human beings are denied not only the opportunity to reach human fulfillment but are also denied the opportunity to get closer to God because poverty (or any form of suffering) which is forcefully imposed upon a person only leads to human degradation(1).

The Prophet Jeremiah describes the true leader: "He shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is right and just in the land", he will share in the life of a God whose name is: "The Lord our justice" (Jer. 23:6).

In the sight of the "vast crowds... without a shepherd" may we teach them peace.
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Footnote.
(1) Poverty (or any form of suffering) leads to human enrichment only when is "freely accepted" as a means of redemption and unity with those who suffer.