Tag Archives: Sheep

July 15, 2024

Study, Pray, Serve: 16th Sunday of the Year

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Here are some of the themes that we discover in the Mass readings for the 16th Sunday of the Year.

1st Reading – Jeremiah 23:1-6

  • The Lord will punish the shepherds who have scattered the sheep and driven them away.
  • God will gather the flock to increase and multiply, appointing new and faithful shepherds.

Psalm – 23:1-6

  • “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.”
  • God takes the initiative, leading, protecting, nourishing and sustaining our lives.

2nd Reading – Ephesians 2:13-18

  • We who were once far off have become near by the blood of Christ.
  • Christ is our peace, reconciling us to God and giving us access in one Spirit to the Father.

Gospel – Mark 6:30-34

  • Pressed in by the crowds, Jesus invites the apostles to come away by themselves and rest.
  • The Lord gazes upon the people and takes pity on them, for they are like sheep without a shepherd.

Mass Readings – 16th Sunday of the Year (B – #107)

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

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July 12, 2021

Study, Pray, Serve: 16th Sunday of the Year

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com

Here are some of the main themes in the readings on this 16th Sunday of the Year.

1st Reading – Jeremiah 23:1-6

  • Woe to the shepherds that mislead and scatter the flock.
  • God will appoint shepherds who will protect the flock, and none shall be missing.

Psalm – 23:1-6

  • “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
  • God guides, protects and leads us to the Lord’s house, our final dwelling.

2nd Reading – Ephesians 2:13-18

  • Christ is our lasting peace, reconciling us to God through the Cross.
  • We are no longer far off, but have now drawn near through the blood of Christ.

Gospel – Mark 6:30-34

  • Having reported all that they have done, Christ invites the apostles to come away and rest.
  • Crowds follow Jesus, and he takes pity on them…for they were like sheep without a shepherd.

Mass Readings – 16th Sunday of the Year

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April 19, 2021

Study, Pray, Serve: 4th Sunday of Easter

By Fr. Andrew Ricci
Photo by Kat Jayne on Pexels.com

Study: What do the readings say?

Pray: What do the readings say to me?

Serve: What do the readings make me do or say…today?

Let’s take a look at some of the main themes that we find in the Scripture readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter, often known as Good Shepherd Sunday.

1st Reading – Acts 4:8-12

  • Peter preaches the Good News immediately after a healing miracle.
  • Jesus Christ is “the stone rejected by the builders, which has become the cornerstone.” (Psalm 118)

Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28-29

  • This psalm is quoted by St. Peter in the passage of Acts.
  • God’s power and might transcends human limitations.

2nd Reading – 1 John 3:1-2

  • The baptized are “children of God” and have the same relationship as the first disciples.
  • Our relationship with the Father is in opposition with the world.
  • There is more to be revealed, and then we shall be like him and see him as he truly is.

Gospel – John 10:11-18

  • The Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.
  • There are “wolves” who catch and scatter the sheep.
  • The sheep (disciples) know the Lord, who also goes out and serves “other sheep” as well.

Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Easter

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Catholic Inspiration Archives

Note: This post was first published on April 19, 2021.

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May 7, 2017

4th Sunday of Easter: The Lord is my shepherd. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Easter

In our moments of need we can learn from the Psalmist and say “The Lord is my shepherd” as we face the challenges of life.  What’s more, as we follow Jesus Christ we offer our lives to help one another to seek the Lord as well.

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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts

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December 3, 2016

Daily Mass: Shepherds and Sheep. Catholic Inspiration

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

shepherd-and-sheep

Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast

Mass Readings – Saturday of the 1st Week of Advent (St. Francis Xavier)

As Jesus looked with pity on the people in their need, he not only served them but he empowered and directed his disciples to do the same.  As we look to the Lord for guidance and strength we also remember the command to love and serve those entrusted to our care.

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