Homily for Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 18th July, 2021

 Homily for Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time  Year B, 18th July, 2021

Reading: Jer. 23:1-6; Ps. 23; Eph.2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34

Rev.  Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia

LORD COME TO OUR AID FOR HUMANITY ARE NOW LIKE SHEEP WITHOUT A RESPONSIBLE SHEPHERD

As humans we are constantly in need of one thing or the other, and one of the greatest need of humanity today is good and responsible leaders. Though, we are never tired of searching for those that will satisfy our desires for physical and spiritual well being. This is even worst with the ugly situation in our world today were humanity are lost, confused and sick as a result of what we have created out of our selfish desires. This ugly situation can be likened to the situation and condition of the people in our Gospel passage today of which Jesus and his disciples devoted time trying to attend to them. 

But when the situation got worst Jesus said to his disciples you must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while’; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. As they went through their boat, the people went after them on foot. So as Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them for they are like sheep without a shepherd and he healed their sickness and taught them for a while.

Here, Jesus fulfills his role as the expected messiah who is to liberate his people from all kinds of diseases. The teaching and healing touch of Jesus reveals to us that God is faithful to his promises. This healing and wholeness are offered as a sign of the presence of God’s kingdom among his people. For God has promised to take care of his people as we heard in our first reading today through prophet Jeremiah when he said: Doom for the shepherds who allow the flock of my pasture to be destroyed and scattered. You have let my flock be scattered and go wandering and have not taken care of them. Right, I will take care of you for your misdeeds. For the days are coming when I will raise a virtuous Branch for David, who will reign as true king and be wise, practicing honesty and integrity in the land.

And St. Paul in our second reading made us to know that Jesus is that Virtuous Branch. For we who are used to be so far apart from God have been brought very close, by the blood of Christ. Because he is the peace between us and God, since he has broken down the barrier which used to keep us apart, by actually destroying in his own person the hostility caused by the rules and decrees of the Law. Therefore, Christ Jesus is that true shepherd that humanity is looking for, for in him we found this quality of a good shepherd that we all need to embrace. For us to be that good shepherd like Jesus, we need to die to selfish desires of the human flesh, because most of the problems we face as humans are caused by the selfishness of the human flesh.

Dear friends, the hopeless and ugly situation in our world today are good indications that we are just floating in this world like sheep without a responsible shepherd. Thus, we need to come to Jesus our true and Good Shepherd. We must make sure that nothing comes between us and the love of Jesus our Lord, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. 

For these are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us so much. We must ensure that neither death nor life, no angel, no princes of this world, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore, let us come to Jesus our Good Shepherd and embrace his love and compassion.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are lost in this passing world, as we come to you in need of good leaders  who will lead us through the path of  love and guide our sense of direction both physically and spiritually, and so guide us once again towards the path of truth, love and fulfilment even in the midst of all the confusion in our world today. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a joyful Sunday celebration.