041 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings

Cycle B 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 23: 1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34

Homily Theme

The Lost Sheep

In the first reading today, the prophet Jeremiah warns the shepherds who have not taken care of the sheep and allowed them to be scattered. In the Gospel, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is moved with pity for the lost sheep who need true shepherds.

Yesterday, I read about a gathering of a Million Christian People in Brazil, and since Brazil is the Country with the largest Catholic population, I was amazed to discover that it was organized and led by Non Catholics. The Article stated that Protestants used to be 2 and half percent of the population but now they are 22 and half percent. In Europe, and even formerly very Catholic Ireland, only a small segment are still attending Sunday Mass or practicing the faith. It is not much better here in the USA. Every family has lost somebody or knows somebody who has left the fold.

I was curious to know why so many of our Catholic sheep are attracted to the Mega Churches, so I spoke with a sincere former Catholic who belonged to a Mega Church here in town. He told me that when he went to Mass on Sundays he never felt a challenge or experienced community there. Week after week he went to Mass and nobody ever reached out to him and shepherded him until he was invited to attend a a Mega Church, He says, now he has been challenged each week to make Jesus a real part of his daily life. He said now he feels he belongs to a real faith community. When I asked him about the Holy Eucharist he said his new community has Holy Communion also. He didn’t realize that none of these Churches believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Read John 6: to see what the Good Shepherd says.

Woe to the teachers who have not taught them the truths of their Catholic Faith properly. Woe to those Shepherds who have allowed the sheep to stray. Many disgruntled Catholics are leaving us to become Protestant or non-Denominational, but the good news is that hundreds of non-Catholic Pastors are joining the Catholic Church. Their elite are flocking to join us. We are getting their cream, while they are getting our sour milk. They never attack what they had but praise God that now they have the fullness of the faith. Each week watch EWTN and learn as you see them on ‘Journey Home’ with Marcus Grodi who was himself a former Protestant Minister.

Every baptized Christian belongs to Jesus. He says, “Other Sheep I have who do not belong to this Fold but I will bring them in and their will be one Fold and one Shepherd.” John 10:16 He needs you to shepherd those who still need to find the one true fold. Reach out to family members and friends this Good Shepherd Sunday. Remember they need to be challenged and feel welcomed home.

Woe to those who fail to care for The Lost Sheep.