16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jeremiah 23: 1-6; Psalm 22 (23); Ephesians 2: 13-18; Mark 6: 30-34
Picture: By Philippe Murray-Pietsch on Unsplash
My dear friends, have you ever finally gotten a chance to sit down and put your feet up, after a long day of running around, and only then realised how exhausted you really are? The tiredness was actually already there before, but we appreciate it more only when we rest. Isn’t it interesting how we know something better by experiencing its opposite? But could the reverse be true too? Could we also know better what it means to rest, by considering its opposite? So what is the opposite of rest? What does it look and feel like?
This is a question that our beautiful responsorial psalm helps us to ponder today. Psalm 22(23) is, of course, very familiar to us. We often use it at funerals, to remind us that death is not an end, but a doorway to final rest in God. And yet, more than what we can expect after we die, the psalm speaks about what we can enjoy here and now, if only we allow the Lord to lead us on life’s journey. The psalm mentions three earthly experiences that are the opposite of rest. Instances where we need the Lord to care for us. The first is the drooping spirit. For the psalmist, the Lord is like a good shepherd, a caring leader, who ushers us to green pastures and restful waters to revive our drooping spirit. Refreshing us when we feel discouraged and depressed, when our motivation flags, and our morale is low. Sort of like how a brief power nap can rejuvenate us, when the burden or boredom of the day makes it difficult to keep our focus, to maintain our passion for life.
The second experience is the valley of darkness, where we find ourselves struggling to discern the right choices we need to make, the proper path we need to take. When various distractions or temptations may cloud our vision, confuse our inner compass, making it hard for us to see where we need to go… Should I leave this job… marry that person… adopt a child… listen to my friend… do more… do less…? In such morally exhausting moments, the Lord gives us rest, by providing safe and reliable guidance. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort. The third experience is when we find ourselves in the sight of our foes. Times when we may actually know quite well what the Lord wishes us to do, but feel intimidated by opposing voices or forces, and lack the courage to do what needs to be done. Then the Lord energises and sustains us, by preparing a banquet to feed us, and by anointing us with oil for strength. Helping us to stiffen our backbone, so that we are able to stand up bravely for God before the world.
Refreshment for the drooping spirit, guidance in the valley of darkness, and sustenance in the sight of our foes. These are among the ways the Lord cares continually for those who follow his lead. But it’s not just individual persons who need rest. Don’t families and communities, nations and societies do too? And like individuals, don’t groups of people also encounter situations that are the opposite of rest? Signs that the group needs to be cared for. Signs that the group’s leaders have the responsibility of noticing and addressing. Isn’t this why God criticises the political and religious authorities in the first reading? You have let my flock be scattered and go wandering and have not taken care of them. The scattering of the flock is a sign that it needs rest. Yet the leaders have neglected to do anything about it. They have failed to help their people find rest. Very likely, this is because the leaders themselves have not paid enough attention to their own need for rest. Unlike the psalmist, they have not allowed the Lord to shepherd them.
All of which helps us to better understand what Jesus is doing for the apostles and the crowds in the gospel, as well as what he does for us, especially when we gather for Mass. By calling the apostles to accompany him to a lonely place to rest for a while, by making the effort to teach the crowds at some length, and by feeding us at this Eucharistic table of Word and Sacrament, the Good Shepherd gathers and guides, sustains and refreshes his sheep. Helping us to find true rest in him, even as we continue on life’s arduous journey. Teaching us how to look at ourselves and at others with that compassion, which the Lord offers particularly to all who are exhausted from having to bear life’s burdens. The same compassion that eventually leads Jesus to Calvary. Where, as the second reading reminds us, by allowing his blood to be shed, the Lord gathers the previously separated Jews and Gentiles into a single flock. Creating one single New Man in himself… by restoring peace through the cross.
Refreshment for the drooping spirit, guidance in the valley or darkness, sustenance in the sight of our foes, and peace for the scattered sheep. This is what Jesus offers us, if only we are willing to follow him. Sisters and brothers, how is the Lord calling us to put up our feet, and find our rest in him today?
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