16B24.   Jeremiah  23:1-6.  The leaders of Israel had done poorly but now the God of Israel said: “I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them so that they need no longer fear and tremble.” Continuing, the Lord said, “I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; as king he shall reign and govern wisely.”

Mark 6:30-34.   After the apostles had returned from the mission on which Jesus had sent them, he invited them to go “to a deserted place and rest a while.” However, when Jesus disembarked, he saw a vast crowd.  “His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.”  Jesus cares for us, his flock.

Ephesians 2:13-18.  The Gentiles “once were far off,” since they were not a part of God’s Chosen People.  However, Jesus shepherded the two flocks into one, reconciling “both with God, in one body, through the cross.”  “We both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”