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Using the Sunday Readings to reflect on our Journey in Faith The 16th to the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B The coming five weeks are based in Ordinary time but in reality the times are not ordinary but extraordinary as they can inspire us to reflect deeply on our vocation in the church. There are references in this period to Shepherds; have you ever considered your role as that of a shepherd and all that this implies? During the Mystagogia period we examine the life of the church and if we are looking at Lay Ministry and the work of the Laity in the church then the coming weeks speak to us clearly of that mission and how our new members of the church can aspire to the vocation of these Workers for Christ. Running through this period are extracts from Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. The people of Ephesus were very close to Paul and this very physical bond is clear in this letter. I am going to study the readings through the Psalms for the various Sundays; the psalms can be a great source of prayer but sadly they sometimes pass us by; perhaps this approach will help us to become more familiar with this ancient form of prayer. The Psalm for the 16th Sunday is very familiar; Psalm 22; The Lord is my Shepherd has always been a source of hope and consolation. It speaks clearly of the Christian vocation and the paths that we need to take to be close to Our Loving Father. We are reminded that if the Lord is our Shepherd, then we want for nothing. We are led on the right path, we remain true to His name and in return He gives us comfort and, at the last, a dwelling place forever. In the readings Jeremiah is once again in trouble, speaking out about the sins of the leaders of Israel. He reminds us that a remnant of the true people of Israel remains and that this remnant will be gathered back into the flock and given new shepherds who will care for them. Paul speaks of bringing two into one through the suffering of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, and this new flock, though the one Spirit, will make a way to come to the Father. The Gospel passage urges us to rest for a while and find a lonely place, where we can be refreshed, for shepherds need to rest and be at peace before they come again to the flock. The 17th Sunday, through Psalm 144, is a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the goodness of His creation. It speaks of freedom from want, of friendship, glory and justice; of a God who opens wide His hands to grant the desires of all who live. There is a real sense of the generosity of God; in the passage from Kings we hear of the feeding of the hungry from the fruits of the wheat and how all will be satisfied. This idea of friendship, of brotherhood, is echoed in the words of Paul. He calls on the flock to live lives worthy of their vocation; to be unified in one body, one spirit for that is how we are called to be. The Gospel account of the feeding of the Five thousand is a familiar one; as a minister of the Eucharist we are called so that the people of God will have someone who can minister to every member of the flock so that no one goes hungry and all are fed with the Body of Christ. Psalm 77 is a prayer that reflects on the first reading of the 18th Sunday; it is a psalm which reminds us of the sense of tradition which flows through the generations of the church. It speaks of “The things we have heard and understood, the things our fathers have told us, we will tell to the next generation” The theme of the psalm is a direct reference to the reading from the book of Exodus, our first reading, and its story of food from heaven. The Gospel today is from John and over the coming weeks we will listen to the discourse from John on the theme “I am the Bread of Life”. Just as the Israelites were fed by the bread that came down from Heaven so to are we fed by the living bread which is Christ. If you are explaining this discourse to your RCIA group it is important that the theme is clear in your own mind; as the scripture explains this teaching was very difficult for the people to understand and caused many to turn away. Seek guidance and pray that you will be able to guide your flock safely through this period. The 19th and 20th Sundays share a common Psalm, 33, but the verses used are different and give us a real insight into how we should pray. I have just returned from pilgrimage to Walsingham and the first and second readings remind me of the way we should approach pilgrimages and how important such periods are to our life in Christ. The psalm speaks of praying to God at all times and calling on Him for His help. Going on pilgrimage usually means that we have to sacrifice self for the good of those around us. The food that Elijah receives is similar to the support we receive on pilgrimage from those around us. The RCIA can be like a pilgrimage for we walk with others and help them on their own journey to God. Paul’s words are also a reminder of pilgrimage “Never have grudges… or lose your temper, or raise your voice to anyone or call each other names” all good advice to the pilgrim. The fruits of pilgrimage show through the friendships made, the forgiveness received, and the prayers shared – all these are also the fruits of the RCIA journey. The Gospel gives us further teaching on the Bread of Life and reminds us the “anyone who eats this bread will live forever” There are various images of the Mass running through the readings of the 20th Sunday. The psalm speaks blessing the Lord at all times and praising His name. It reminds us that, through the reverence we show to God our lives are enriched and we prosper. It urges us to turn aside from evil and do good, strive and seek after peace. The reading from proverbs urges us to eat the bread and drink the wine prepared for you and walk in the ways of perception. Saint Paul reminds the Ephesians that they need to be careful of the life they lead. He urges them to sing the psalms and hymns when they are together. So in the space of three readings we have the opening prayers, the penitential rite, the sermon and the hymns of praise; rich food indeed. The Gospel continues the discourse on the Bread of Life; we cannot have life unless we live in Jesus Christ; he is the living bread, the real food and drink, and we draw life from him.