Sunday July 21, 2024
16th Sunday of the Year B
Office: Psalter Week 4, Te Deum
Mass Prop. Gloria, Creed, Preface of Sunday
Vestment: Green
Today’s Rosary: Glorious Mystery
Vespers II of the 16th Sunday of the Year
Click HERE for the Previous Catholic Daily Reading
CALABAR: Tomorrow is the 1st anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Most Revd Christopher N. Naseri (Auxiliary), 22nd July, 2023.
Theme of the Sunday: LIKE SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD.
In the first reading Jeremiah condemns the political leaders of his time who are leading to ruin the sheep that God has entrusted to their care. He then promises an upright, wise king from the house of David who will truly be a shepherd of his people. The gospel tells us that this shepherd is Jesus of Nazareth. The second reading shows us who the members of the flock are. They are not only Jews, but all people, without distinction. Jesus has pulled down all the barriers that divide.
THE GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you. We bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
FIRST READING
“I will gather the remnant of my flock, and I will set shepherds over them.”
A reading from the Book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 23:1-6)
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord, Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, says the Lord. “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness. ”’
The word of the Lord. RESPONSORIAL PSALM PSALM 23:1-3a. 3b-4. 5. 6. (R. 1)
R/. The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
there he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me;
he revives my soul. R/.
He guides me along the right path,
for the sake of his name.
Though I should walk in the valley
of the shadow of death,
no evil would I fear, for you are with me.
Your crook and your staff will give me comfort. R/.
R/. The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
You have prepared a table before me
in the sight, of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing. R/.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for length of days unending. R/.
SECOND READING
“He is our peace, who has made us both ‘one.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 2: 13-18)
Brethren: Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA John 10:27
Alleluia. My sheep hear my voice says the Lord, and I Know them, and they follow me Alleluia
GOSPEL
“They were like sheep without a shepherd.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 6:30-34)
At that time: The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got them ahead of them. As he landed he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
The Gospel of the Lord.
THE CREED (I BELIEVE)
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Celebrant:
Christ is the chief shepherd and model of all shepherds. He cares for our needs and guides us on the path of salvation with his saving word. Let us ask him to keep us faithful to him and for our other needs.
FOR OUR POPE, BISHOPS AND PRIESTS: that, as true shepherds of God’s flock, they may selflessly devote themselves to the pastoral care of the people entrusted to them. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR THOSE IN CIVIL AND TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY: that, like Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve, they may be willing to make sacrifices for the good of those they lead. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR ALL CHRIST’S FAITHFUL: that they may be steadfast in faith and hope in the Lord; and always seek to please him in all areas of their lives. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR FAMILIES GOING THROUGH DIFFICULTIES: that Christ, for whom nothing is impossible, may look kindly upon them and provide for them a way out of the challenges they are experiencing. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).
FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray in silence for our private intentions.
Celebrant:
God our heavenly Father, you are gracious and merciful to us. Be present to your people as their true shepherd and help them to always listen to the voice of your son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.
R/. Amen.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Jesus is the Messiah who came into the world to give his life as a ransom for many. He did not come to be served but to serve giving his life daily for the welfare of his flock. Hence, scripture teaches that Jesus is the good shepherd who gives his life for his sheep. In the first Reading, the prophet Jeremiah proclaims doom upon the shepherds of Israel that fail to care for the sheep entrusted to them, allowing them to be scattered and destroyed. This is contrary to the action of Jesus Christ and his disciples in the gospel of today. In the course of their ministry to people, Jesus and his disciples were stressed and so Jesus asked that they go and rest. However, when he saw the crowd coming upon them like sheep without a shepherd, Jesus stepped out again to teach them. By this act, Jesus has shown that the major characteristics of a shepherd include availability and commitment to the flock. One thing is to accept the position of pastoral leadership and another thing is to be ready to make the necessary sacrifices for the flock following the example of Christ.
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL
7 day Novena prayer for the Fruit of the Womb (19th – 25th July 2024)
Children are a gift from the LORD, they are a reward from Him – Psalm 127:3
Within the next 5 days we shall offer One Our Father, One Hail Mary and Glory be… for the intention of couples waiting on God for the fruit of the womb, May God hear our prayers in Jesus name Amen.
You can also offer a fast for their Special Intention if you’re disposed. (As you pray for others, you’re equally praying for yourself) God will richly bless you as you do in Jesus name.
Let us Pray,
“Because Rebecca had no children, Isaac prayed to the Lord for her. The Lord answered his prayer, and Rebecca became pregnant.” Genesis 25:21
-Pray as the spirit directs: The scripture says in Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Your story doesn’t end in here in the state of barrenness, no, the events of the night is only temporary, you Joy will come forth in the morning.
-In families facing childlessness. Husbands should pray for their wives; for the intervention of the Lord, just as Isaac did: Praying for her makes you realize how much of a treasure she is, the woman God gave you:
Lord, my prayer for my wife today is that You help her be the best she can be in all the roles she has to fulfil. Give her strength and remind her that she’s able to do all things through Christ who strengthens her. When she feels exhausted and weary, fill her with Your presence, peace, and joy.
Psalm 128:3 says my wife will be like a fruitful vine within the house … fruits of the womb and that neither myself nor my children shall be barren in Jesus name.
Let Us Pray:
Gracious and holy Father, please give me intellect to understand you, reason to discern you; diligence to seek you; wisdom to find you; a spirit to know you; a heart to meditate upon you; ears to hear you; eyes to see you; a tongue to proclaim you; a way of life pleasing to you; patience to wait for you; and
