Blessing of the Shepherd

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invoke our gratitude for being among the flock of the Good Shepherd who continues to be goodness and mercy that follows me.

Care of the Shepherd

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews ends with a Benediction.

* [13:17–25] Recommending obedience to the leaders of the community, the author asks for prayers (Heb 13:17–19). The letter concludes with a blessing (Heb 13:20–21), a final request for the acceptance of its message (Heb 13:22), information regarding Timothy (Heb 13:23), and general greetings (Heb 13:24–25).

* [13:20–21] These verses constitute one of the most beautiful blessings in the New Testament. The resurrection of Jesus is presupposed throughout Hebrews, since it is included in the author’s frequently expressed idea of his exaltation, but this is the only place where it is explicitly mentioned. (Hebrews, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 23 praises The Divine Shepherd

* [Psalm 23] God’s loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock (Ps 23:1–4) and a host’s generosity toward a guest (Ps 23:5–6). The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus (Is 40:11; 49:10; Jer 31:10).

* [23:1] My shepherd: God as good shepherd is common in both the Old Testament and the New Testament (Ez 34:11–16; Jn 10:11–18).

* [23:3] Right paths: connotes “right way” and “way of righteousness.”

* [23:5] You set a table before me: this expression occurs in an exodus context in Ps 78:19. In front of my enemies: my enemies see that I am God’s friend and guest. Oil: a perfumed ointment made from olive oil, used especially at banquets (Ps 104:15; Mt 26:7; Lk 7:37, 46; Jn 12:2).

* [23:6] Goodness and mercy: the blessings of God’s covenant with Israel. (Psalms, PSALM 23 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, the Good Shepherd is feeding the Five Thousand.

* [6:30] Apostles: here, and in some manuscripts at Mk 3:14, Mark calls apostles (i.e., those sent forth) the Twelve whom Jesus sends as his emissaries, empowering them to preach, to expel demons, and to cure the sick (Mk 6:13). Only after Pentecost is the title used in the technical sense.

* [6:31–34] The withdrawal of Jesus with his disciples to a desert place to rest attracts a great number of people to follow them. Toward this people of the new exodus Jesus is moved with pity; he satisfies their spiritual hunger by teaching them many things, thus gradually showing himself the faithful shepherd of a new Israel; cf. Nm 27:17; Ez 34:15. (Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Nancy Shirley comments that In the gospel, we see themes from the previous two readings – the disciples have been out and about doing good deeds as we are urged to do in the first reading and also the encouragement of rest (Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while) as the psalm also invites us.

The responsorial psalm is a familiar one – perhaps the best known.  We have frequently heard this at wake services and seen it printed on funeral programs.  It not only presents the image of the loving shepherd protecting his sheep and providing what is needed, it also emphasizes the rest and peace that we receive through God.  The gospel also speaks of rest.  I recently heard someone speak about the holiness of rest.  As we think of the Creation story, God made holy that day of rest and that there is a true holiness about rest and renewal.  The psalm offers a couple of images of repose and of restful waters and the refreshment that such rest brings.  As we dwell in the house of the Lord, we are at rest – we let go and let God.  When we truly rest, we recognize that we are not in control; we give it to God and trust in what will come.  Resting is not a laziness, rather than a commitment to our Maker, an opportunity to connect and let go of the rush and stress that plagues our everyday lives. (Shirley, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The good shepherd feeds us with the words of God,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"The pastures that this good shepherd has prepared for you, in which he has settled you for you to take your fill, are not various kinds of grasses and green things, among which some are sweet to the taste, some extremely bitter, which as the seasons succeed one another are sometimes there and sometimes not. Your pastures are the words of God and his commandments, and they have all been sown as sweet grasses. These pastures had been tasted by that man who said to God, 'How sweet are your words to my palate, more so than honey and the honeycomb in my mouth!' (Psalm 119:103)."(excerpt from Sermon 366.3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21 comments that as the author ends his letter, he points them toward the future: “May the God of peace . . . carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ” (13:20, 21). Essentially, he is telling them that the Lord has been active in their lives—from the days of their initial enthusiasm to today, even on days when they needed to “strengthen [their] drooping hands and [their] weak knees” (12:12). If they could keep their eyes “fixed on Jesus,” they would see how he was changing them—and that would make them more eager to cooperate with him in those changes (12:2).

What about you? Can you believe that Jesus is working in you to “carry out what is pleasing to him”? Can you identify how he has used your experiences over time to mold you and shape you more into his image? Maybe you could dig out an old photograph of yourself from years ago and think about what you were like back then. Or, if you keep a prayer journal, maybe you could go back a few years, read what you wrote, and compare it with the way you think now.

Find the evidence of the Lord’s work, and thank and praise him for it! The more aware you are of what God is doing in you, the more you will be willing to cooperate with him—until every area of your life is pleasing to him.

“Thank you, Jesus, for your faithfulness to me!” (Meditation on Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on how Hebrews is really a treatise presented as a letter but without details about the author or the community as would be in Paul’s letters. Jesus' desire for the apostles to rest underlines our need to avoid burning ourselves out. Friar Jude reminds us that the kings and priests had failed and the Good Shepherd had to teach about Who God is and what He wants of us.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces CAC staff member Drew Jackson who, Inspired by Jesus’ warning to the people of Jerusalem, wrote this poem that honors the cost of prophecy: 

There is a lineage of those whose blood fills

     the streets  

of cities and countrysides—prophets who

     have spoken truth  

only to find their lips kissed with the blunt

     force 

of thrown stones. They knew their end

     before they began,  

and still they continued. Fire in the bones

     cannot be contained.  

Handcuffs and shackles cannot restrain

     their message.  

More than by their shouts, we know them by

     their tears— 

salt dried on their cheeks from years of

     endless weeping.  

Many of their names have been swept away

     by the winds  

of history. It is the winners who write the

     accounts,  

yet the ground bears witness. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder our need for rest in turbulent times and surrender to the invitation of Jesus to join in the cloud of witnesses that lead us to still waters and anointing with oil.

References

Hebrews, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved February 8, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/13?15 

Mark, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved February 8, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/6?30 

Meditation on Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved February 8, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/02/08/1197703/ 

Psalms, PSALM 23 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved February 8, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Path of the Prophet: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved February 8, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-path-of-the-prophet-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Come Away and Rest a While. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 8, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=feb8 

Jubilee of Hope

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to celebrate Jubilee Year 2025 with the heart of Mary open to share the Good News of Jesus with all people.

A Year of Hope

The reading from the Book of Numbers proclaims the Priestly Benediction.

* [6:26] Peace: the Hebrew word Shalom includes the idea of happiness, good health, prosperity, friendship, and general well-being. To use this term as a greeting was to pray for all these things upon the one greeted. (Numbers, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

In Psalm 67, the Nations are called to Praise God.

* [Psalm 67] A petition for a bountiful harvest (Ps 67:7), made in the awareness that Israel’s prosperity will persuade the nations to worship its God.

* [67:2] May God be gracious to us: the people’s petition echoes the blessing pronounced upon them by the priests, cf. Nm 6:22–27. (Psalms, PSALM 67 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Galatians declares God’s Free Children in Christ.

* [4:1–7] What Paul has argued in Gal 3:26–29 is now elaborated in terms of the Christian as the heir (Gal 4:1, 7; cf. Gal 3:18, 29) freed from control by others. Again, as in Gal 3:2–5, the proof that Christians are children of God is the gift of the Spirit of Christ relating them intimately to God. (Galatians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Is Named.

* [2:21] Just as John before him had been incorporated into the people of Israel through his circumcision, so too this child (see note on Lk 1:57–66). (Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Andy Alexander, S.J. (2000) writes that many of us suffer from the economic injustices Pope John Paul II writes about.  Many of us live in countries that are not at peace or where we are deprived of religious or political liberty.   Most of us have far more than we need.  Most of us are far from a sense of solidarity with others in need, that would make us agents of change for justice.  There is a call, a consolation and a hope that is offered to us all today.

Mary places us with Jesus today, as really as she gave him to us so long ago.  Today each of us can celebrate his name - Jesus - for he saves us all from our sins.  Today, Jesus stands in solidarity with us, opening the way, opening wide the door to new graces and new peace.  Today we resolve to let his forgiving love renew us and free us to share his love, generously.  We pray, that as we cross the threshold into this Jubilee year (2025) that there might be greater reconciliation, justice and peace on this earth, and that it might begin in our hearts.   Desiring this grace, can make for a very happy new year. (Alexander, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “By Christ's faith, hope, and love we are purified,” by Bede the Venerable, 672-735 A.D.

"He therefore received in the flesh the circumcision decreed by the law, although he appeared in the flesh absolutely without any blemish of pollution. He who came in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3) - not in sinful flesh - did not turn away from the remedy by which sinful flesh was ordinarily made clean. Similarly, not because of necessity but for the sake of example, he also submitted to the water of baptism, by which he wanted the people of the new law of grace to be washed from the stain of sins...

"The reason 'the child who was born to us, the son who was given to us ' (Isaiah 9:6), received the name Jesus (that is, 'Savior') does not need explanation in order to be understood by us, but we need eager and vigilant zeal so that we too may be saved by sharing in his name. Indeed, we read how the angel interprets the name of Jesus: 'He will save his people from their sins' (Matthew 1:21). And without a doubt we believe and hope that the one who saves us from sins is not failing to save us also from the corruptions which happen because of sins, and from death itself, as the psalmist testifies when he says, 'Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases' (Psalm 103:3). Indeed, with the pardoning of all of our iniquities, all our diseases will be completely healed when, with the appearance of the glory of the resurrection, our last enemy, death, will be destroyed... We read that circumcision was done with knives made of rock (Joshua 5:2), and the rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). And by Christ's faith, hope and love the hearts of the good are purified not only in baptism but furthermore in every devout action. This daily circumcision of ours (that is, the continual cleansing of our heart) does not cease from always celebrating the sacrament of the eighth day. (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.11) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Numbers 6:22-27 comments that Mary was specially graced, but those blessings didn’t stop with her. Look at how many people were blessed through her, starting in Bethlehem. When Mary saw a group of shepherds at the stable door wanting to see her baby, she welcomed them. They were complete strangers, but she saw that the blessing she had received in Jesus was meant to be shared. And that’s how she lived the rest of her life.

We have all known God’s protection and care. But those blessings, like Mary’s, are meant to spill over into the lives of everyone we meet. As we lend a helping hand or offer a welcoming smile, God’s goodness can touch the people around us. So at the start of this new year, let’s imitate our Blessed Mother and allow the Lord to bless others through us.

“Mary, our Mother, pray that we may know and share God’s blessings in the coming year!” (Meditation on Numbers 6:22-27, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the blessing given to Moses to teach his sons about the constant protection of Yahweh. In Galatians, Paul declares Jesus' birth by a woman under the Law tells us about “Abba” our heavenly parent. Friar Jude reminds us that , “Jesus saves”, is the proclamation of His mission to all people.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, expresses the liberation the gospel offers when freed from our cultural and religious expectations. Fr Richard believes that Jesus' truth about right relationship, His proclamation of the power of powerlessness, is the message that will save the world from self-destruction and for an eternal truth. This is how Jesus is the “Savior of the World.” He does it by choosing a minority position, entering Jerusalem on a donkey.

Jesus has a different understanding of personal freedom. Freedom is not the capacity to be what we are not, but the capacity to be fully who we already are, to develop our inherent selves as much as divine time and circumstances allow. The perfect and full freedom of a fig tree is to become a perfect and full fig tree. Thus, Jesus curses one that does not (see Matthew 21:19). Many of us are like sick or dead fig trees, but with happy faces painted on our anemic fruit shouting, “But I’m free!” Our addictive society will do what it wants to do, but the freedom offered by all great spiritual traditions is quite different: spiritual and true freedom is wanting to do what we have to do to become who we are. (Rohr, n.d.)

We begin Jubilee Year 2025 with a shalom blessing and an invitation to advocate for reconciliation, justice and peace as Mary presents Jeshua to the forgotten of her time.

References

Alexander, A. (n.d.). Creighton University Ministry and the Collaborative Ministry Office. Collaborative Ministry Office. https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Archive/2000/010100.html 

Galatians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/4?4 

Luke, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/2?16 

Meditation on Numbers 6:22-27. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/01/01/1169844/ 

Numbers, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/numbers/6?22 

Psalms, PSALM 67 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/67?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Free Gospel and Free People. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-free-gospel-and-free-people/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Was Called Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 1, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jan1