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 

Liberty and Salvation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer the opportunity to reflect on the goodness and beauty that God brings to our life as we are invited to freely choose a deeper relationship with the Trinity.

So Loved the World

The reading from the Second Book of Chronicles describes the situation after the fall of Jerusalem when Cyrus proclaims liberty for the Exiles in Babylon

* [36:22–23] These verses are identical with those of Ezr 1:1–3a and were to prevent the work from ending on a note of doom. (2 Chronicles, CHAPTER 36 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 137 is a lament over the Destruction of Jerusalem.

* [Psalm 137] A singer refuses to sing the people’s sacred songs in an alien land despite demands from Babylonian captors (Ps 137:1–4). The singer swears an oath by what is most dear to a musician—hands and tongue—to exalt Jerusalem always (Ps 137:5–6). The Psalm ends with a prayer that the old enemies of Jerusalem, Edom and Babylon, be destroyed (Ps 137:7–9). (Psalms, PSALM 137 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians proclaims the Generosity of God’s Plan.

* [2:1–10] The recipients of Paul’s letter have experienced, in their redemption from transgressions and sins, the effect of Christ’s supremacy over the power of the devil (Eph 2:1–2; cf. Eph 6:11–12), who rules not from the netherworld but from the air between God in heaven and human beings on earth. Both Jew and Gentile have experienced, through Christ, God’s free gift of salvation that already marks them for a future heavenly destiny (Eph 2:3–7). The language dead, raised us up, and seated us…in the heavens closely parallels Jesus’ own passion and Easter experience. The terms in Eph 2:8–9 describe salvation in the way Paul elsewhere speaks of justification: by grace, through faith, the gift of God, not from works; cf. Gal 2:16–21; Rom 3:24–28. Christians are a newly created people in Christ, fashioned by God for a life of goodness (Eph 2:10). (Ephesians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John describes the dialogue of Jesus with Nicodemus.

* [3:14] Lifted up: in Nm 21:9 Moses simply “mounted” a serpent upon a pole. John here substitutes a verb implying glorification. Jesus, exalted to glory at his cross and resurrection, represents healing for all.

* [3:15] Eternal life: used here for the first time in John, this term stresses quality of life rather than duration.

* [3:16] Gave: as a gift in the incarnation, and also “over to death” in the crucifixion; cf. Rom 8:32.

* [3:17–19] Condemn: the Greek root means both judgment and condemnation. Jesus’ purpose is to save, but his coming provokes judgment; some condemn themselves by turning from the light.

* [3:19] Judgment is not only future but is partially realized here and now. (John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Edward Morse (2018) comments that our faith should not stay in our head.  It should be reflected in our hearts, arms, legs, fingers, and toes as we do works that proceed from love of God and love of neighbor, which St. Augustine described as medicine that we need from the Church. 

Lord, we need your mercy.  Grant that we might heed your warnings when we leave the path, and return promptly.  Let us remember always the goodness and beauty that we can only find in you, and not in the cheap substitutes that we sometimes choose.  Open our hearts and minds to be receptive to your instruction, so that we can live worthily as your people. Kindle true faith that draws us to your Church, where we can find the medicine we need to be well and the home where we truly belong.  Thanks be to God. (Morse, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “He descended so that we might ascend,” by Hilary of Poitiers, 315-367 A.D.

"God, who loved the world, gave his only begotten Son as a manifest token of his love. If the evidence of his love is this, that he bestowed a creature on creatures, gave a worldly being on the world's behalf, granted one raised up from nothing for the redemption of objects equally raised up from nothing, such a cheap and petty sacrifice is a poor assurance of his favor toward us. Gifts of price are the evidence of affection: the greatness of the surrender is evidence of the greatness of the love. God, who loved the world, gave no adopted son but his own, his only begotten [Son]. Here is personal interest, true sonship, sincerity; not creation, or adoption, or pretence. Here is the proof of his love and affection, that he gave his own, his only begotten Son." (excerpt from ON THE TRINITY 6.40.27) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 3:14-21 comments that faith is a gift of grace from God. Our belief is more than intellectual assent or an act of the will. It’s a response to God’s initiative. His grace opens our minds to the truth and moves us to place our lives in Jesus’ hands. Belief isn’t possible without God’s initial intervention. The Catechism puts it succinctly: “In faith, the human intellect and will cooperate with divine grace” (155). 

Today is a day overflowing with grace. So turn to the Lord and affirm your faith. Tell Jesus that you believe he is who he says he is. Entrust your life to him. As you do, your faith will continue to grow, and you will trust even more deeply in Jesus’ promise of eternal life.

“Jesus, I believe in you!” (Meditation on John 3:14-21, n.d.)

Tom Shufflebotham SJ, a Jesuit of the British Province, points us in the direction of some New Testament characters who can be a source of encouragement for anyone who might be questioning whether they have, or still have, faith, or who might feel that prayer has deserted them.

Nicodemus flits in and out of John’s Gospel. It sounds as if he may have come away dispirited from a night-time conversation with Jesus (chapter 3): his embryonic faith had shown up as limited, unadventurous, mean-spirited. When he tries (chapters 7 & 12), timidly but with some dogged courage, to put in a word for Jesus, he gets short shrift from the Pharisees – and, it seems, from the evangelist, too. However, after the crucifixion (chapter 19) he is there, and he brings spices for Jesus’s burial. While all looks to be darkness and defeat, he doesn’t seem to say anything; he just does his corporal work of mercy, and that is no insignificant crumb of faith. And his name will forever be associated with the Jesus Christ who died and rose. (Shufflebotham, 2018)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the action of Cyrus, the Persian, who sent all the exiles in Babylon back to their homeland. The change in understanding salvation as now by the author of the Letter to the Ephesians is different from salvation at the second coming as suggested  by Luke and John. Friar Jude reminds us of the role of totem items and comments on the dualism of the Gospel that presents the choice of good or evil.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, invites us to enter the Reign of God—what he describes as the “Really Real”—even though we face many difficult realities in our lives. Many Christians have mistakenly thought that the Reign of God is “eternal life,” or where we go after we die. That idea is disproven by Jesus’ own prayer: “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). As always, Jesus joins earth and heaven. 

“Thy Kingdom come” means very clearly that God’s realm is something that enters into this world, or, as Jesus often says, “is close at hand.” We shouldn’t project it into another world. It’s a reality that breaks into this world now and then, when people are like God.

God gives us just enough tastes of God’s realm to believe in it and to want it more than anything. In his parables, Jesus never says the Kingdom is totally now or totally later. It’s always now-and-not-yet. We only have the first fruits of the Kingdom in this world, but we experience enough to know it’s the only thing that will ever satisfy us. Once we have had the truth, half-truths can’t satisfy us anymore. In its light, everything else is relative, even our own life. When we experience the Kingdom or love of God, it becomes ultimate and real truth for us. (Rohr, n.d.)

We pray that the Spirit inform us about the “eternal life” that begins now as we accept with our free will the invitation of Jesus to live in the Love of the Trinity.

References

Ephesians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 10, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/2?4 

John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 10, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/3?14 

Meditation on John 3:14-21. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 10, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/03/10/910055/ 

Morse, E. (n.d.). Creighton University Online Ministries. Retrieved March 10, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Archive/2018/031118.html 

Psalms, PSALM 137 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 10, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/137?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Really Real. CAC Daily Mediations. Retrieved March 10, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-really-real/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). God so Loved the World That He Gave Us His Only Son. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 10, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=mar10 

Shufflebotham, T. (2018, March 7). Figures of faith. Thinking Faith. Retrieved March 10, 2024, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/figures-faith 

2 Chronicles, CHAPTER 36 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 10, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2chronicles/36?14