Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

# In the Christian churches, a pastor is someone who carries out management and teaching functions within his community. The term is most often used in the context of Protestantism, with Protestant pastors forming the leadership and ministry of the word within Protestant and Evangelical churches. Christian saints Pastor of Alcala (?-304), with Juste, children martyred at Complutum, during the persecution of Diocletian, under Dacian. Pastor of Nicomedia (4th century), Victorin and five other companions, martyred in the East during Diocletian’s persecution.

Pastor of Orléans (?-557), Bishop of Orléans. A Palestinian born at the beginning of the Christian era, he was professed by Christians to be the Messiah, the Son of God and the Redeemer of mankind. In chronological order, he was born before the year 4 under Herod, he began his apostolic activity around the year 28, he was arrested, condemned to death and crucified under the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate in April 30, and, according to the testimony of his apostles, he was proclaimed to have risen three days later. This resurrection of Jesus is held by Christians to be a historical fact that transcends the realm of history to reach that of faith. The Messiah (χριστός / Christos in ancient Greek), the Lord’s anointed is announced by the Old Testament of Judaism.

Most Christians recognise Jesus Christ as the only Son of God and as one of the three persons of the Triune God. His mother is Mary of Nazareth. From the 19th century onwards, critical research by historians gradually dissociated Jesus of Nazareth, the historical figure, from Jesus Christ, the religious figure. According to John Meier, this methodological distinction is rooted in the distinction made by numerous Germanic authors, including Bultmann (1884-1976), between two meanings of the term historical in German. On the one hand, historical, in the sense of an event corresponding to a simple fact whose existence is attested by history, and on the other, historical, in the sense of an event that has a lasting impact and corresponds to a significant reality. The present chapter on Jesus Christ is situated within the framework of this second historical perspective, leaving the first to the chapter entitled Quests for the Historical Jesus. Muslims recognise Jesus of Nazareth as an eminent prophet of God under the name ʿĪsā.

From the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Mark

At that time, after their first mission, the Apostles gathered to Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place and rest for a while. In fact, many people were arriving and leaving, and there was not even time to eat. So they set off in a boat for a deserted spot. The people saw them going away, and many understood their intention. So they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there before them. When Jesus went ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them at length. (Mk 6, 30-34)

Come away to a deserted place and rest for a while

On this day, Jesus, I too have come, like the apostles, to listen to you. Yes, it is only in your presence that we can truly rest. Only by listening to your words can I truly regain my strength. Shape in me, Lord, the heart of an apostle. Today’s Gospel invites us to discover the importance of resting in the Lord. The apostles were returning from the mission Jesus had entrusted to them. They had cast out demons, healed the sick and preached the Gospel. They were tired and Jesus said to them : ‘Come away to a deserted place and rest for a while’ (Mk 6, 31).

One of the temptations to which any Christian can succumb is that of wanting to do many things and neglecting our relationship with the Lord. The catechism reminds us that when it comes to prayer, one of the greatest dangers is thinking that there are other more urgent things to do, and we end up neglecting our relationship with God. That’s why Jesus tells his disciples, who have worked hard, are tired and are happy because everything has gone well, that they need to rest. The Gospel tells us that they ‘set off in the boat for a deserted place’ (Mk 6, 33).

In order to pray well, we need at least two things: the first is to be with Jesus, because it is with him that we are going to speak. We need to be sure of his presence. To do this, every moment of prayer generally begins, and this is the hardest part, by becoming aware of God’s presence. Becoming aware that we are with Him. The second thing is the solitude that is necessary. If we want to talk to someone, to have an intimate and deep conversation, we choose solitude. Saint Pierre Julien Eymard recommended resting in the Lord after communion. 

And he warned against the danger of filling our thanksgiving with words or phrases that we know by heart. He said that after receiving the Body of Christ, the best thing was to remain silent for a while to regain our strength and let Jesus speak to us in the silence of our hearts. Sometimes, instead of telling Him about our plans, it’s better to let Jesus teach us and give us courage. Lord, be my guide in everything. Be the shepherd of my life. Teach me to let myself be taught like those crowds.

Send me to those who don’t know you and who are looking for you. After this time of rest in prayer, I know that I too will be sent to those I meet today. Inspire me, Lord, with the right words to proclaim that you are the good shepherd.

Deacon Michel Houyoux

Links to other Christian websites

Loyola Press : click here to read the paper →Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B

Youngs Catholics : click here to read the paper → 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

 Vidéo  Father George Maloney S.J. : click here → https://youtu.be/_rbDv8znzpM