Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
The prophet Ezekiel delivers a scathing rebuke of the leaders of Israel in today’s first reading (Ez 34:1-11). He accuses them of being shepherds who pasture themselves rather than caring for the flocks entrusted to them. They not only fail to look after their sheep but they take advantage of them and abuse them. They feed off their milk, wear their wool, and slaughter the fatlings as their food. It is in this light that the opening words of the entrance antiphon take on a special nuance of meaning: “Turn your eyes, O God, our shield and look upon the face of your anointed [your sheep!]” (Ps 84:10). It is God who is our shield, the true shepherd of his people. “I myself will look after and tend my sheep” (Ez 34:11). It is fitting that the psalm response to this reading is from Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” Here is the portrait of the caring shepherd who brings his flock to graze in verdant pastures beside restful waters and protects them with his rod and staff.
In the gospel from Matthew 20:1-16, we are presented with the image of God as a different kind of shepherd, as the landowner who chooses to be equally generous to all his workers no matter how many hours they have labored in a day. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is presented as being counter-cultural. The gospel concludes with the same line as yesterday’s passage: “Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” God’s merciful love extends beyond all worldly reason and he bestows his grace upon all his flock as each has need. It is in this context that we rejoice in singing the communion antiphon: “With the Lord there is mercy; in him is plentiful redemption” (Ps 130:7).
Prayer for Today: O God of love and compassion, you shepherd us with generous care and tender concern. Help us to be shepherds to all those we meet today, extending your love to all, regardless of their weakness of character or behavior.
Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections