His heart was moved
with pity for them for they were like sheep without a shepherd.
Mark 6:34
Today’s
readings flow from this line of Mark’s gospel.
A
little background will prove helpful towards understand today’s first reading. The
people that Moses led through the wilderness were brought into the promised-land
by Joshua. They crowned their first king (Saul) and were subsequently ruled by
David and Solomon. Later, the kingdom broke into 2 parts: Judah (the southern
kingdom) and Israel (the northern kingdom). Then things got worse. The people
were repeatedly conquered and sent into exile. The
prophet Jeremiah gives voice to God’s displeasure with shepherds who “have scattered my sheep and driven them
away.” He prophesies of a “righteous
branch...(who) shall reign and govern wisely.”
Today’s
psalm is the familiar psalm 23. Many
people can recite bits of this psalm, including its iconic first line: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
The psalmist goes on to speak of God as shepherd for the flock and generous and
caring host. I’ve
decided to use two settings of psalm 23 during today’s liturgy. The first will
be our prelude. Many of you will recognize Josh Blakesley’s setting titled;
“The Lord is My Shepherd.” Its’ rhythmic refrain is easy to sing. I believe it
will be a good way of turning our focus toward the scripture we will hear
proclaimed and Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. The
second setting is found in the hymnal between the first and second
reading. This refrain to this setting is
more lyrical. The verses will be chanted
by the psalmist. Wishing
you a restful summer, Bruce
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