NEVER TOO TIRED WHEN IT COMES TO GIVING LIFE.

SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR B.
July 23, 2006.
(First reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6) (Psalm 23:1-6)
(Second reading: Ephesians 2:13-18) (Gospel: Mark 6:30-34)

NEVER TOO TIRED WHEN
IT COMES TO GIVING LIFE.

There are two kinds of false leaders in the world:
1. Those leaders who subserviently submit themselves to the oppression of more powerful world leaders.

2. The powerful leaders who spread global domination and oppression.

In either case the end result is the same: Human beings who live "like sheep without a shepherd".

If such societal conditions remain unchecked, as it is the case in our world today, the "vast crowds" of humanity will continue to suffer abandonment and death.

At the sight of the "vast crowds" our Lord Jesus Christ is "moved with pity for them" and tirelessly brings new life to them by "teaching them at great length" the Good News of human liberation, redemption, peace, unity, respect and compassion for one another.

Saint Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians (Second reading) explains how Our Lord Jesus Christ brings about life and well-being to humankind: "Through his blood" and through his cross [freely accepted] the Lord Jesus "breaks down the dividing wall of enmity". That is to say, those who were enemies are no longer enemies because, through his cross, the Lord Jesus "creates in himself one new person instead of two, thus establishing peace... reconciling both with God, in one body" (Eph. 2:13-17).

That is how the Lord Jesus gives life to humankind and he never gets tired of doing so for he is a true shepherd.

But, "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" are the ones who, by their greed and domination, subject their fellow human beings to poverty, misery, wars and all sorts of maladies individual and social.

Under these 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 Book of the Prophet Jeremiah (First reading) shows us how a true leader must act: "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 never get tired when it comes to give them life.
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Footnotes.
(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.