Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Click here to LISTEN to the homily
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Who is your Shepherd?
In the first reading today and in Mark’s Gospel the Jewish people are described as sheep without a shepherd. Many of their kings were weak religious leaders and the people were misled and scattered like sheep. It made me think about how many times I have been misled by following the wrong shepherd or ignored directions from the right one. Several years ago, I was prone to being a workaholic. I think I became my own self-appointed shepherd and cared more about getting ahead in my career than spending time with my family. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, it was deceptive and harmful. Fortunately I got some good advice from people at work and had a loving wife and family to help me get back on track. Looking back on it now, it’s scary to think how easy it was to be lead astray and not realize it.So how do we know if we are on the path or being led astray? How do we know if we are following the right shepherd? I recently came across a quote from William Temple. He was a bishop in the Church of England who died in 1944. He said:
“Your religion is what you do with your solitude.” “Your religion is what you do with your solitude.” So what does this mean? When your mind is not engaged by your surroundings or occupied by work, it can wander. Where does you mind go? What occupies your mind when you have nothing else to think about? The answer to those questions is the religion or shepherd you are prone to follow. Another reality check is to think about where you spend your free time and extra money. Those are usually a good indication of a person’s priorities. Matthew 6:21 tells us: For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. If you think about the job of a shepherd, 2 of the most important parts are keeping their flock safe and well fed. There are lots of unsafe things in this world but sin is the most dangerous. The wolf in our pasture is the devil. God has him chained to the fence so we are safe if we stay away from him. Unfortunately the path over to the fence where the wolf is chained up is wide and straight. Following the wrong shepherd will put us in his reach and fill our lives with fear and misery but we can take comfort in Psalm 23. We fear no evil because God is at our side. He guides me in right paths. His rod and staff give me courage. A Good Shepherd provides food for his sheep that will satisfy them. There are many tempting things in this world that try to satisfy us but come up short. Following the wrong shepherd will always leave us restless and unsatisfied if we do not find food for our soul. Psalm 23 talks about the Lord leading us to verdant pastures and restful waters that refresh our souls.
Over the next several weeks, we will hear the Bread of Life story from the 6th chapter of John. I don’t want to spoil the ending but this Bread of Life is the food that will always satisfy our soul and we are fortunate we can celebrate that sacrifice in the Eucharist today.
Our world today is noisy and has many distractions that make it difficult to find the right shepherd to follow. Fortunately our Church is blessed with a pope and many bishops and priests that do a great job serving as our shepherds today. They will help us to recognize and hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, who will lead us home with Him in heaven.
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Reading 1 Jer 23:1-6
Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
I shall want.
Reading 2 Eph 2:13-18
Alleluia Jn 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 6:30-34
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Who is your Shepherd?
In the first reading today and in Mark’s Gospel the Jewish people are described as sheep without a shepherd. Many of their kings were weak religious leaders and the people were misled and scattered like sheep. It made me think about how many times I have been misled by following the wrong shepherd or ignored directions from the right one. Several years ago, I was prone to being a workaholic. I think I became my own self-appointed shepherd and cared more about getting ahead in my career than spending time with my family. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, it was deceptive and harmful. Fortunately I got some good advice from people at work and had a loving wife and family to help me get back on track. Looking back on it now, it’s scary to think how easy it was to be lead astray and not realize it.So how do we know if we are on the path or being led astray? How do we know if we are following the right shepherd? I recently came across a quote from William Temple. He was a bishop in the Church of England who died in 1944. He said:
“Your religion is what you do with your solitude.” “Your religion is what you do with your solitude.” So what does this mean? When your mind is not engaged by your surroundings or occupied by work, it can wander. Where does you mind go? What occupies your mind when you have nothing else to think about? The answer to those questions is the religion or shepherd you are prone to follow. Another reality check is to think about where you spend your free time and extra money. Those are usually a good indication of a person’s priorities. Matthew 6:21 tells us: For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. If you think about the job of a shepherd, 2 of the most important parts are keeping their flock safe and well fed. There are lots of unsafe things in this world but sin is the most dangerous. The wolf in our pasture is the devil. God has him chained to the fence so we are safe if we stay away from him. Unfortunately the path over to the fence where the wolf is chained up is wide and straight. Following the wrong shepherd will put us in his reach and fill our lives with fear and misery but we can take comfort in Psalm 23. We fear no evil because God is at our side. He guides me in right paths. His rod and staff give me courage. A Good Shepherd provides food for his sheep that will satisfy them. There are many tempting things in this world that try to satisfy us but come up short. Following the wrong shepherd will always leave us restless and unsatisfied if we do not find food for our soul. Psalm 23 talks about the Lord leading us to verdant pastures and restful waters that refresh our souls.
Over the next several weeks, we will hear the Bread of Life story from the 6th chapter of John. I don’t want to spoil the ending but this Bread of Life is the food that will always satisfy our soul and we are fortunate we can celebrate that sacrifice in the Eucharist today.
Our world today is noisy and has many distractions that make it difficult to find the right shepherd to follow. Fortunately our Church is blessed with a pope and many bishops and priests that do a great job serving as our shepherds today. They will help us to recognize and hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, who will lead us home with Him in heaven.
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Reading 1 Jer 23:1-6
Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
I shall want.
Reading 2 Eph 2:13-18
Alleluia Jn 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 6:30-34
Who is your Shepherd?
In the first reading today and in Mark’s Gospel the Jewish people are described as sheep without a shepherd. Many of their kings were weak religious leaders and the people were misled and scattered like sheep. It made me think about how many times I have been misled by following the wrong shepherd or ignored directions from the right one. Several years ago, I was prone to being a workaholic. I think I became my own self-appointed shepherd and cared more about getting ahead in my career than spending time with my family. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, it was deceptive and harmful. Fortunately I got some good advice from people at work and had a loving wife and family to help me get back on track. Looking back on it now, it’s scary to think how easy it was to be lead astray and not realize it.So how do we know if we are on the path or being led astray? How do we know if we are following the right shepherd? I recently came across a quote from William Temple. He was a bishop in the Church of England who died in 1944. He said:
“Your religion is what you do with your solitude.” “Your religion is what you do with your solitude.” So what does this mean? When your mind is not engaged by your surroundings or occupied by work, it can wander. Where does you mind go? What occupies your mind when you have nothing else to think about? The answer to those questions is the religion or shepherd you are prone to follow. Another reality check is to think about where you spend your free time and extra money. Those are usually a good indication of a person’s priorities. Matthew 6:21 tells us: For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. If you think about the job of a shepherd, 2 of the most important parts are keeping their flock safe and well fed. There are lots of unsafe things in this world but sin is the most dangerous. The wolf in our pasture is the devil. God has him chained to the fence so we are safe if we stay away from him. Unfortunately the path over to the fence where the wolf is chained up is wide and straight. Following the wrong shepherd will put us in his reach and fill our lives with fear and misery but we can take comfort in Psalm 23. We fear no evil because God is at our side. He guides me in right paths. His rod and staff give me courage. A Good Shepherd provides food for his sheep that will satisfy them. There are many tempting things in this world that try to satisfy us but come up short. Following the wrong shepherd will always leave us restless and unsatisfied if we do not find food for our soul. Psalm 23 talks about the Lord leading us to verdant pastures and restful waters that refresh our souls.
Over the next several weeks, we will hear the Bread of Life story from the 6th chapter of John. I don’t want to spoil the ending but this Bread of Life is the food that will always satisfy our soul and we are fortunate we can celebrate that sacrifice in the Eucharist today.
Our world today is noisy and has many distractions that make it difficult to find the right shepherd to follow. Fortunately our Church is blessed with a pope and many bishops and priests that do a great job serving as our shepherds today. They will help us to recognize and hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, who will lead us home with Him in heaven.
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Reading 1 Jer 23:1-6
Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
I shall want.
Reading 2 Eph 2:13-18
Alleluia Jn 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 6:30-34
Click here to LISTEN to Homily
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Who is your Shepherd?
In the first reading today and in Mark’s Gospel the Jewish people are described as sheep without a shepherd. Many of their kings were weak religious leaders and the people were misled and scattered like sheep. It made me think about how many times I have been misled by following the wrong shepherd or ignored directions from the right one. Several years ago, I was prone to being a workaholic. I think I became my own self-appointed shepherd and cared more about getting ahead in my career than spending time with my family. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, it was deceptive and harmful. Fortunately I got some good advice from people at work and had a loving wife and family to help me get back on track. Looking back on it now, it’s scary to think how easy it was to be lead astray and not realize it.So how do we know if we are on the path or being led astray? How do we know if we are following the right shepherd? I recently came across a quote from William Temple. He was a bishop in the Church of England who died in 1944. He said:
“Your religion is what you do with your solitude.” “Your religion is what you do with your solitude.” So what does this mean? When your mind is not engaged by your surroundings or occupied by work, it can wander. Where does you mind go? What occupies your mind when you have nothing else to think about? The answer to those questions is the religion or shepherd you are prone to follow. Another reality check is to think about where you spend your free time and extra money. Those are usually a good indication of a person’s priorities. Matthew 6:21 tells us: For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. If you think about the job of a shepherd, 2 of the most important parts are keeping their flock safe and well fed. There are lots of unsafe things in this world but sin is the most dangerous. The wolf in our pasture is the devil. God has him chained to the fence so we are safe if we stay away from him. Unfortunately the path over to the fence where the wolf is chained up is wide and straight. Following the wrong shepherd will put us in his reach and fill our lives with fear and misery but we can take comfort in Psalm 23. We fear no evil because God is at our side. He guides me in right paths. His rod and staff give me courage. A Good Shepherd provides food for his sheep that will satisfy them. There are many tempting things in this world that try to satisfy us but come up short. Following the wrong shepherd will always leave us restless and unsatisfied if we do not find food for our soul. Psalm 23 talks about the Lord leading us to verdant pastures and restful waters that refresh our souls.
Over the next several weeks, we will hear the Bread of Life story from the 6th chapter of John. I don’t want to spoil the ending but this Bread of Life is the food that will always satisfy our soul and we are fortunate we can celebrate that sacrifice in the Eucharist today.
Our world today is noisy and has many distractions that make it difficult to find the right shepherd to follow. Fortunately our Church is blessed with a pope and many bishops and priests that do a great job serving as our shepherds today. They will help us to recognize and hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, who will lead us home with Him in heaven.
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Reading 1 Jer 23:1-6
Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
I shall want.
Reading 2 Eph 2:13-18
Alleluia Jn 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 6:30-34
Click here to listen to the Homily
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Who is your Shepherd?
In the first reading today and in Mark’s Gospel the Jewish people are described as sheep without a shepherd. Many of their kings were weak religious leaders and the people were misled and scattered like sheep. It made me think about how many times I have been misled by following the wrong shepherd or ignored directions from the right one. Several years ago, I was prone to being a workaholic. I think I became my own self-appointed shepherd and cared more about getting ahead in my career than spending time with my family. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, it was deceptive and harmful. Fortunately I got some good advice from people at work and had a loving wife and family to help me get back on track. Looking back on it now, it’s scary to think how easy it was to be lead astray and not realize it.So how do we know if we are on the path or being led astray? How do we know if we are following the right shepherd? I recently came across a quote from William Temple. He was a bishop in the Church of England who died in 1944. He said:
“Your religion is what you do with your solitude.” “Your religion is what you do with your solitude.” So what does this mean? When your mind is not engaged by your surroundings or occupied by work, it can wander. Where does you mind go? What occupies your mind when you have nothing else to think about? The answer to those questions is the religion or shepherd you are prone to follow. Another reality check is to think about where you spend your free time and extra money. Those are usually a good indication of a person’s priorities. Matthew 6:21 tells us: For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. If you think about the job of a shepherd, 2 of the most important parts are keeping their flock safe and well fed. There are lots of unsafe things in this world but sin is the most dangerous. The wolf in our pasture is the devil. God has him chained to the fence so we are safe if we stay away from him. Unfortunately the path over to the fence where the wolf is chained up is wide and straight. Following the wrong shepherd will put us in his reach and fill our lives with fear and misery but we can take comfort in Psalm 23. We fear no evil because God is at our side. He guides me in right paths. His rod and staff give me courage. A Good Shepherd provides food for his sheep that will satisfy them. There are many tempting things in this world that try to satisfy us but come up short. Following the wrong shepherd will always leave us restless and unsatisfied if we do not find food for our soul. Psalm 23 talks about the Lord leading us to verdant pastures and restful waters that refresh our souls.
Over the next several weeks, we will hear the Bread of Life story from the 6th chapter of John. I don’t want to spoil the ending but this Bread of Life is the food that will always satisfy our soul and we are fortunate we can celebrate that sacrifice in the Eucharist today.
Our world today is noisy and has many distractions that make it difficult to find the right shepherd to follow. Fortunately our Church is blessed with a pope and many bishops and priests that do a great job serving as our shepherds today. They will help us to recognize and hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, who will lead us home with Him in heaven.
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Reading 1 Jer 23:1-6
Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
I shall want.
Reading 2 Eph 2:13-18
Alleluia Jn 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 6:30-34
Click here to LISTEN to the homily
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Who is your Shepherd?
In the first reading today and in Mark’s Gospel the Jewish people are described as sheep without a shepherd. Many of their kings were weak religious leaders and the people were misled and scattered like sheep. It made me think about how many times I have been misled by following the wrong shepherd or ignored directions from the right one. Several years ago, I was prone to being a workaholic. I think I became my own self-appointed shepherd and cared more about getting ahead in my career than spending time with my family. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, it was deceptive and harmful. Fortunately I got some good advice from people at work and had a loving wife and family to help me get back on track. Looking back on it now, it’s scary to think how easy it was to be lead astray and not realize it.So how do we know if we are on the path or being led astray? How do we know if we are following the right shepherd? I recently came across a quote from William Temple. He was a bishop in the Church of England who died in 1944. He said:
“Your religion is what you do with your solitude.” “Your religion is what you do with your solitude.” So what does this mean? When your mind is not engaged by your surroundings or occupied by work, it can wander. Where does you mind go? What occupies your mind when you have nothing else to think about? The answer to those questions is the religion or shepherd you are prone to follow. Another reality check is to think about where you spend your free time and extra money. Those are usually a good indication of a person’s priorities. Matthew 6:21 tells us: For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. If you think about the job of a shepherd, 2 of the most important parts are keeping their flock safe and well fed. There are lots of unsafe things in this world but sin is the most dangerous. The wolf in our pasture is the devil. God has him chained to the fence so we are safe if we stay away from him. Unfortunately the path over to the fence where the wolf is chained up is wide and straight. Following the wrong shepherd will put us in his reach and fill our lives with fear and misery but we can take comfort in Psalm 23. We fear no evil because God is at our side. He guides me in right paths. His rod and staff give me courage. A Good Shepherd provides food for his sheep that will satisfy them. There are many tempting things in this world that try to satisfy us but come up short. Following the wrong shepherd will always leave us restless and unsatisfied if we do not find food for our soul. Psalm 23 talks about the Lord leading us to verdant pastures and restful waters that refresh our souls.
Over the next several weeks, we will hear the Bread of Life story from the 6th chapter of John. I don’t want to spoil the ending but this Bread of Life is the food that will always satisfy our soul and we are fortunate we can celebrate that sacrifice in the Eucharist today.
Our world today is noisy and has many distractions that make it difficult to find the right shepherd to follow. Fortunately our Church is blessed with a pope and many bishops and priests that do a great job serving as our shepherds today. They will help us to recognize and hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, who will lead us home with Him in heaven.
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 19, 2015
Reading 1 Jer 23:1-6
Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
I shall want.
Reading 2 Eph 2:13-18
Alleluia Jn 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.