Called to be shepherds Jer 23:1-6; Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6; Eph 2:13-18; Mk 6:30-34 Today’s readings invite us to do two things. The first is to reflect on the divisions we create in the world and in our own lives. The second is to focus on God’s vision for the world. One of the ultimate visions of our Scriptures is all just peoples being gathered to God, living in peace. These themes are woven throughout our readings today. This is done through the image of shepherds and sheep. The shepherds that Jeremiah refers to in 23:1-6 are political leaders, namely, the kings of the House of Judah (the Southern Kingdom of Israel), who have not ruled the way a king should. There was an idealized understanding of what a king was supposed to be throughout the Ancient Near East. A king was supposed to be a just person, who took care of his people, especially the most vulnerable among them. We can see in the Old Testament that biblical writers shared this idealized vision, especially in the Psalms, but also here in Jeremiah (23:2, 4). A king should rule on earth as God rules: He should care for his people and ensure they flourish together. The kings of Israel and Judah were tasked with responsibility of maintaining sole worship of the God of Israel. This entailed proper cultic worship along with creating a just society. Like a good shepherd, the king should keep his flock safe and together. However, the reality of kingship and monarchy often differed from this ideal. Many kings in the Old Testament are accused of abusing their power, spreading violence, allowing those most in need of protection to suffer and allowing the spread of idolatrous worship. Essentially, they are accused of doing the opposite of what they are supposed to do. In our reading from Jeremiah, we hear that, since these kings have failed to be good shepherds, God will send a king from the line of David who will rule over the people justly (23:5-6). The remaining readings give us a sense of what this might look like. Psalm 23, of course, presents God as the shepherd who cares for his sheep by ensuring they have safety (verse 4), granting them rest and providing guidance (verses 2-3), and provides them whatever they need with generosity and compassion (verses 5-6). Our Gospel today shows Jesus begin to demonstrate what this looks like. He takes his disciples to a deserted place to rest (Mk 6:31-32), looks upon the people with compassion and provides guidance (verse 34). Next Sunday, we will see Jesus provide the people with generous amounts of food. A subtle current that undercuts today’s readings is the idea of unity and togetherness. Jeremiah speaks of kings allowing the people to go astray and of gathering the flock back together (verses 1-2 and 3-4). The disciples are gathered to Jesus and the people gather to him as well. Such was their desire to be together with Jesus that they miraculously arrived at the deserted location before even Jesus and the disciples (verses 33-34)! Our reading from Ephesians today speaks of unity in Christ for both Jews and Gentiles. All are brought together in Christ and have access to the peace that being one in God can provide (Eph 2:17). To be a shepherd in this way seems like a massive task. With the levels of discord and violence that we see in our country and the world, it seems that this is a task that humans are not able to perform, as if it is something the be left up to God. However, we are all called to be priests, kings, and prophets. As such, we are also called to shepherd our own flocks. This does not mean sharing posts on social media that only add fuel to the fire, as many people seem to think. This means caring for the communities in which we live. Take time to rest today. Then ask yourself tomorrow how you can be a shepherd in your community. How can you foster unity? Where can you bring compassion and generosity? In what ways do your gifts enable you to provide guidance?
About the Author Kate Oxsen is an assistant professor of Old Testament studies at Catholic Theological Union.