XVI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Jer 23:1-6
Jesus saw a large crowd, and he felt compassion and had pity on them, because they looked like sheep without a shepherd (Mk 6:34). People were in need of guidance, encouragement and hope. They were a suffering people, who had lost confidence in their leaders, and remained by themselves, abandoned and alone.
In the book of Jeremiah, God indicts the leaders of Israel, both political and religious, because they abandoned people to their own fate. The people were exploited and oppressed, not only by strangers, but even by those who should protect them. God accuses them of destroying and scattering the sheep and he decides to take action against them:
“It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord.” (Jer 23:2).
Jesus acts in a very different way. He welcomes the apostles from the training mission he had sent them to, and decided to give them some time of rest. However, people would never leave him in peace. As he arrived with the apostles, they were waiting for him already. Seeing them, Jesus forgot about resting, and took care of them: “he set himself to teach them at some length.” (Mk 6:34)
All those in positions of leadership must examine themselves to see their availability, whenever people come to them. Are we always ready to serve? Do we care about people’s welfare or we put forward our self-interests as the only valid interests? Jesus taught his disciples by actions and by words that they must be servants. True leadership is service, not dominance.
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