Ordinary Time

Jan 30 2025

Scripture Study for

Elisha directs that bread and grain be given to the people who have gathered at the shrine. Those who ministered at the shrine objected, because the bread was intended for cultic use. Elisha insisted, and one hundred people were fed by a mere twenty loaves. The miracle is the result of the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet. The original intent of the story is uncertain. It cannot be a reference to the manna in the wilderness, where God miraculously fed the multitude, for there the people took only what they needed and nothing was left over. This miracle reveals the bounteous generosity of God.

From prison Paul admonishes the Ephesians to lead the kind of life that has resulted in his own captivity. Rather than deterring them from following his example, his imprisonment demonstrates the price he is willing to pay for having been invited into a life of Christian virtue. He insists that only such a life is worthy of the call that they too have received from God. All the virtues he proposes are relational and foster community harmony. This is the kind of conduct that engenders peace within the community and provides the members with the inner dispositions needed to preserve the unity that comes from the Spirit.

Jesus took the barley loaves and fish, gave thanks, and distributed them. The eucharistic reference here is obvious. Once again the crowds were overwhelmed by Jesus, following him to the other side of the lake in order to witness his exceptional power. They were not disappointed. They now recognize him as more than a wonder-worker. He is the long-awaited prophet like Moses, the one who will usher in the messianic age. The event took place at the time of the Passover, the feast that coincided with the Feast of Unleavened Bread, feasts that celebrated the saving events of the past and looked forward in hope to the final age of fulfillment.

Jan 30 2025

A Shepherd’s Heart

Recently I heard some statistics that said for every person coming into the Catholic Church, four are leaving it. It is estimated that 33 percent of those baptized Catholic already have left. This is staggering news. Where are they going? Some join other churches; others just drift away. Why do they leave? Different reasons are given, but many said they left because they were not being nourished spiritually.

In the Gospel the disciples have returned from their work of preaching and casting out demons. They brought many stories back with them, telling about all that had happened, all that God had done through them. Jesus noticed they were tired, so he invited them for a rest, a little “R and R.” But when they arrived at their destination, they discovered that a huge crowd had followed them there.

Mark presents Jesus as one whose “heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.” And so he began to teach them. Jesus is a good shepherd, in contrast to the religious leaders Jeremiah speaks of. The religious leaders of his day made God angry. “Woe” is the equivalent of “Damn you.” And for good reason: they were misleading the people, causing them to scatter.

Every age has had its bad shepherds as well as the good ones who have served faithfully. Today more than ever we need good shepherds, as many of those who have served faithfully for years are no longer in active ministry.

Consider/Discuss

Is God refusing to send good shepherds to lead the people, or are there other reasons for the lack of clergy in the United States?
Have you ever considered inviting someone to contemplate a vocation to ordination or professed religious life?

Responding to the Word

God, you spoke through Jeremiah, saying you would appoint shepherds to care for your people. In your Son Jesus you gave us a shepherd who laid down his life for us. Answer our need today for shepherds who will be faithful servants, shepherding with compassion and perseverance.

Jan 30 2025

Scripture Study for

Jeremiah’s indictment of the leaders of the people is terse and decisive. They have not only neglected the people of God, they have actually misled them. Because the shepherds had not cared for the flock, God would definitely care for the punishment of these derelict leaders. They had scattered the sheep; God would gather them up again. They had been false shepherds; God would be the true shepherd. God promises to raise up a new royal shepherd, a righteous leader who will govern the nation wisely and justly. The coming king will reestablish both Israel and Judah, and he will do it in the righteousness that comes from God. The reading from Ephesians speaks of the union, accomplished in Christ, of two different groups of people. The author declares that a change has taken place in the Ephesians. Previously they had been far off from faith, but now, through the blood of Christ, they have been brought near to all those who believed in Christ before they did. Christ is their peace; in Christ they are one people. The passage ends with a Trinitarian proclamation of faith. Jesus has died and risen from the dead and now lives in the Spirit. Through him, in the Spirit, all believers have access to the Father.

Either the apostles were quite successful in their mission, or the fame of Jesus had spread abroad, or both, for the people were coming in such numbers that the missionaries had to get away from the crowds. However, their departure did not deter the crowds, who seemed to know where they were going and arrived there before Jesus and the apostles did. Seeing them, Jesus was moved with pity, for they were like sheep without a shepherd, searching for someone or something that they could follow. Seeing that the people were bereft of strong and dependable leadership, Jesus began to teach them.

Jan 30 2025

The Family Business

Working for God doesn’t always guarantee a welcome. When the prophet Amos, from the south, showed up at the sanctuary in Bethel, about fourteen miles north of Jerusalem, the priest Amaziah was not thrilled to see him. “Go home,” he shouted. “Prophesy there and leave us alone.” Amos’ response is interesting. “Not my idea to be here, nor to be doing this,” he says. “I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The Lord told me to do this.”

Perhaps Jesus’ disciples knew the story, since many of them were from up north—the fishermen Peter and Andrew, James and John, to be sure. And more than likely most of the others. When God calls you, you go. The same happened when Jesus came along. All he said was “Follow me” and they did. Now he sends them out, preaching, teaching, healing, and casting out demons. Travel light, he says. Stay where you land. Keep to the message. If they don’t want it, move along.

The Lord continues to send us out, as God did with prophets and as Jesus did with those first disciples. The world needs the message more than ever: God wants a family that will be faithful to God, loving to each other and caring for the earth once entrusted to Adam and Eve for tending. God wants a holy people. This holiness comes as a gift from God, if we accept it. For this message to get out, messengers are needed, witnesses in word and deed. That’s us.

Consider/Discuss

Do you see yourself as “sent” to witness to your faith by word and action?
How do the instructions Jesus gives his disciples carry over into our world?

Responding to the Word

Jesus, Risen Lord, you continue to call men and women to join you in the work of preaching the gospel and delivering the world from the power of evil. Give us generous hearts that we might respond willingly to your invitation and faithfully fulfill the work to which you have called us.

Jan 30 2025

Scripture Study for

Amos is told to leave the northern shrine of Bethel. The prophet defends his call from God and, in doing so, his right and responsibility to prophesy in Israel. He had not chosen to be a prophet, he had been chosen. He was not the kind of prophet who enjoyed royal patronage, one who was connected with the court or with a particular shrine, nor had he belonged to any prophetic guild. He was a prophet of God, independent of any institution. He insists that he had been summoned by God to be a prophet and then sent to the people of the northern kingdom. His coming to Bethel was due entirely to the command that he received from God.

The reading from Ephesians argues that salvation in Christ is not an after thought; it was in God’s plan from the beginning. Furthermore, the believers were not chosen because they were holy and blameless, but that they might become holy and blameless. Salvation is the cause and not the consequence of righteous ness. Through Christ, believers are chosen for adoption into the family of God. Destined for adoption through Christ, we have been redeemed by his blood. Our redemption exacted a ransom, for we were being redeemed from sin. The author insists that all of this was done so that God’s plan would finally be brought to fulfillment in Christ.

Jesus prepares the Twelve for their first missionary venture. They are given the power to drive out unclean spirits, but they can only do this through the authority of Jesus. They must participate in this mission in a truly self-sacrificing manner. Jesus prepares them for possible rejection and failure. If this happens they are to shake the dust of the place from their sandals as a symbolic act of ridding themselves of any unclean substance that might profane the land of Israel. They are to preach repentance, drive out demons, and heal the sick. In this way, the reign of God will be inaugurated.