16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentence and Prayer:

Our God is like a shepherd who always looks after the flock: the Lord tends to all our needs.
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Compassionate God, from far and near You gather Your Church into one. Safeguard the unity of Your flock through the teaching of Christ the Shepherd, that all Your scattered children may find in Him the guidance and nourishment they seek. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:1-6 (NLT)

“What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep — for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the Lord.

Therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: “Instead of caring for my flock and leading them to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them. But I will gather together the remnant of my flock from the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their own sheepfold, and they will be fruitful and increase in number. Then I will appoint responsible shepherds who will care for them, and they will never be afraid again. Not a single one will be lost or missing. I, the Lord, have spoken!

“For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 23:1-6 (NLT)

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 2:13-18 (NLT)

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 6:30-34 (NLT)

The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
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Intercessions:

Like a shepherd, You Lord continue to care for us, so we pray with confidence:

+ For those called to be pastors of God’s people - that they may be good shepherds, imitating the Lord they serve…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who help others draw close to You, as prayer guides and retreat directors – that the Spirit may be with them in their ministry…. Lord, hear us.
+ For an end to conflict and hostility, at home and abroad – that the peace of Christ may continue to spread…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our families and friends, and for all who asked for our prayers – that our care may remind them of the Good Shepherd’s love for them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those whose life in this world is over – that they may dwell in Your house forever…. Lord, hear us.

O God, our Shepherd, Your goodness and kindness help us every day: hear our prayers and be with us in our needs, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn:

Benediction:

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen