10-Minute Catholic Bible Study

Sunday, July 18, 2027 · Year B

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

They were like sheep without a shepherd

The Sermon on the Mount, by Claude Lorrain
The Sermon on the Mount, Claude Lorrain, c. 1656

Jeremiah condemns the shepherds who scatter God’s flock and promises a righteous shoot from David. Jesus invites His tired apostles to rest awhile, but a crowd arrives first. His heart is moved with pity, for they are like sheep without a shepherd, and He begins to teach them.

Mass Readings

  • First Reading Jeremiah 23:1-6
  • Responsorial Psalm Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
  • Second Reading Ephesians 2:13-18
  • Gospel Mark 6:30-34

Open the Mass Readings on USCCB.org →

First Reading Jeremiah 23:1-6

Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock. The Lord Himself will gather the remnant of His sheep and appoint shepherds who will care for them. He will raise up a righteous shoot to David, called “The Lord our justice.”

Psalm Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading Ephesians 2:13-18

In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by His blood. He is our peace; He broke down the dividing wall of enmity and reconciled both Jew and Gentile to God in one body through the cross.

Gospel Mark 6:30-34

The apostles return and report all they have done. Jesus says, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” But the crowds hurry ahead. Seeing them, Jesus is moved with pity, for they are like sheep without a shepherd, and He teaches them many things.

Step Into the Story

Jeremiah’s “shepherds” were the last kings of Judah, and they led the flock straight into exile. The last of them, Zedekiah, was set on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C. When he rebelled, the Babylonians made him watch his sons executed, blinded him and dragged him to Babylon in 586 B.C. His name means “the Lord is my justice.” Jeremiah promises a true king from David’s line named “The Lord our justice.” The pun was not lost on anyone.

  1. 597 B.C.Zedekiah made king
  2. 586 B.C.Zedekiah dragged to Babylon
  3. 4 B.C.Antipas rules Galilee
  4. 14 A.D.Tiberius becomes emperor
  5. This week’s scene: 28 or 29 A.D.The apostles come back

Come back with the apostles, sometime in 28 or 29 A.D., from their mission, bursting with stories. So many people are coming and going that there is no time even to eat. Jesus says, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” Climb into the boat with them. Feel it rock as it pushes off, and hear the oars dip and the water hiss along the hull.

Then look to the shore. People have recognized the boat, and they are running along the beach from every town, kicking up dust, getting there first. By the time the keel grinds on the shingle, a vast crowd is waiting. Step out behind Jesus. Watch His face as He looks at them, and see what He sees: sheep without a shepherd.

Encounter the Lord

Climb into the boat with the apostles. They are exhausted from their mission, and Jesus wants them to rest. But when the boat reaches shore, a huge crowd is waiting. You expect frustration. Instead, Jesus looks at them with deep pity.

Jesus cares for both the shepherds and the sheep. He knows His apostles need rest, and He knows the crowd needs a shepherd. Your soul needs both too: time to rest in Him, and a heart that sees others as He does. Paul says Christ is our peace. He reconciles us to God and to one another. Peace in your heart, your family and your parish begins when you let Him gather you, rest you and order your life.

This week, take a real rest with the Lord: fifteen quiet minutes in a church or outdoors. Then pray Psalm 23 slowly, one line at a time.

Know Your Faith

Catechism
YOUCAT
  • 395·what peace is
  • 396·how a Christian deals with anger
  • 144·the task of the bishops

Christ Our Peace

Peace is not merely the absence of war; it is the tranquillity of order, the work of justice and the effect of charity (CCC 2304). Earthly peace is the image and fruit of the peace of Christ, who reconciled all to God by His Cross (CCC 2305).

Peacemakers

Those who renounce violence and bloodshed to safeguard human rights bear witness to evangelical charity (CCC 2306). Christians are called to be workers for justice and peace (CCC 2442).

The Shepherd’s Compassion

Christ is the Good Shepherd who leads and nourishes His flock (CCC 754). He entrusted His sheep to shepherds who are to serve as He served (CCC 1551, 1558).

Rest in the Lord

Sunday is a day of rest and of renewal, a time for reflection, silence and prayer (CCC 2184-2186).

Key Takeaways

  • Scripture
  • Doctrine
  • Sacraments
  • Christian Life
  1. Doctrine: Jesus has compassion on people who are lost and searching.
  2. Scripture: God condemns shepherds who neglect His flock and promises to care for it Himself.
  3. Doctrine: Christ is our peace, reconciling us to God and to one another.
  4. Christian Life: Rest with the Lord is part of a healthy Christian life.

Test Your Knowledge

True or false? Tap your answer.

  1. Jeremiah condemned shepherds who scattered the flock.

    True.

  2. Jesus told the tired apostles to keep working without rest.

    False: He invited them to rest a while.

  3. Jesus was moved with pity because the crowd was like sheep without a shepherd.

    True.

  4. Paul writes that Christ is our peace.

    True.

  5. The Catechism defines peace as merely the absence of war.

    False: peace is the tranquillity of order, CCC 2304.

  6. Jeremiah promised a righteous shoot from David.

    True.

  7. In Ephesians, Christ broke down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile.

    True.

  8. Sunday is meant to be a day of rest and prayer.

    True.

  9. Psalm 23 begins, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

    True.

  10. Jesus sent the crowd away before teaching them.

    False: He began to teach them many things.

Answers: 1 T · 2 F (He invited them to rest a while) · 3 T · 4 T · 5 F (peace is the tranquillity of order, CCC 2304) · 6 T · 7 T · 8 T · 9 T · 10 F (He began to teach them many things)

Journal Prompts

  1. Where do I need to come away and rest with Jesus?

  2. Whom do I see as a burden rather than as a sheep in need of a shepherd?

  3. Where do I need Christ’s peace in my family or relationships?

  4. How can I pray for and support my pastor and bishop?

Talk to God

Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, You saw the crowd and were moved with pity. Gather me when I am scattered, give me rest in You, and make my heart compassionate like Yours. You are my peace. Amen.