Cycle B 16th Sunday Ordinary

Sixteenth Sunday of the Year [CYCLE B] MAIN MESSAGE

[This is for reference only. Please do not read it at Mass] Though we often feel we are smart and can manage fine without God, the fact is we are really very much like sheep. Sheep are very vulnerable animals; completely dependent on their shepherd. It is only with a conscientious and self-sacrificing shepherd that they will be peaceful; well-fed and safe from parasites, sickness and wild animals. Jesus shows us that he is indeed the 'Good Shepherd' who is ready to lay down his life for his sheep. If we accept our own need of him and his care of us, we will prosper and, like David, proudly say: The Lord is my Shepherd! There is nothing I shall want! (THROUGHOUT THE MASS HAVE TWO COMMENTATORS BRINGING OUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SHEPHERD AND SHEEP AND JESUS AND US)

INTRODUCTION: Celebrant: Children, suppose you had to describe yourself as an animal, would you say you are like a lion, a sheep or a zebra ? • A lion is strong and fierce, he can look after himself. Hands up those who feel they are like a lion ......(Show of hands) • A zebra is also strong ... and fast .... it can run even faster than a horse .... • A sheep is much more helpless ... it cannot fight, it cannot even feed itself properly ... Yes, many of us feel like lions or zebras. We feel we can look after ourselves. But really we are like sheep. We are helpless and foolish. We cannot protect ourselves from our own enemy. Who is our enemy? (The devil) We need a good shepherd to give us the best grass, to pick us up when we are in trouble and to protect us. • Pay attention throughout the mass, and you will find out more about your shepherd and his sheep. PENITENTIAL RITE: Com 1: Some sheep are foolish, and even though they have all they need in their fold, they try to slip out through a gap in the fence to the other side. There they land themselves in trouble and often die because outside the fold, wild animals attack them. Com 2 : We are like those foolish sheep. We slip out from Jesus' fold and go off, to do what we want. This is sin. Let us say sorry and come back to the safety of the fold and the care of Jesus. Let's pray silently. Now sing ‘Coming Home’ as a sorry-prayer to Jesus. ]

LITURGY OF THE WORD: Commentator: In this reading, God tells us that he is like a shepherd who gathers his flock together. First Reading: Jeremiah 23: 3-6. Commentator: We will now sing the most famous psalm in the Bible. It was made up by David, who was a shepherd himself, and knew how much trouble is needed to keep sheep safe and well. He realized that God is the best of shepherds. As you sing this psalm, tell God: You are my Shepherd. I will trust You. I know I am safe with you. Psalm: 23: 1-3a, 3b-4,6. Commentator: In the Gospel, watch how Jesus has pity on the people and goes to teach them, even though he himself is tired and needs to rest. Gospel: Mark 6:30-34. Homily: [Arrange for someone to share their own testimony based on Psalm 22 (23) of how the Lord has saved them (If I walk through the valley of darkness, no evil would I fear ); or how he has provided for their needs - fed them with spiritual or physical food (fresh and green are the pastures) ... etc ..... ] OFFERTORY: Com 1 : In summer, sheep are troubled by flies of all kinds, specially the nose-fly. These not only worry them, but enter their bodies and causes diseases. The sheep get so upset; they rush into the bushes to protect themselves. The shepherd pours a special oil on the sheep's heads and this makes them feel better at once. The flies don't trouble them anymore and they can lie down peacefully. Com 2 : Like the flies worry the sheep, we also have little things that worry us. Let us offer to Jesus all the little things that worry or upset us. As we bring them to him, he will give us the Holy Spirit who will comfort us and give us peace. (Lead the children to become silent .... to think of their worries: difficulties in studies, a person who bullies them; a sickness; an elder who shouts at them a lot etc. Ask them to tell the Lord about it and to receive his Spirit like soothing oil ..... ) COMMUNION: Com 1: In the summer months the shepherd often takes his flock up to a table-land where there is plenty of green grass. Com 2: Today the Good Shepherd gathers all of us, his flock, to the table where he will feed us with the best of food. Let's sing: He Brought Us To His Banqueting Table. (Banqueting table means a table where there is a big feast laid out.) RECCESSIONAL : As the children walk out in line, let them pick up a 'sheep-card' with a verse for learning. (Teachers try and follow this up by asking them to say the verse next Sunday). APPROPRIATE HYMNS ENTRANCE: God’s Love is So Wonderful [So High] PENITENTIAL: Coming Home PSALM: The Lord is my Shepherd OFFERTORY: [No song.. exercise] COMMUNION: He Brought Me to His Banqueting Table RECESSIONAL: Walking with Jesus

PREPARATION REQUIRED: • • •

Make poster and put up. Practice the readings and commentaries. Photocopy attached sheet and cut out sheep-cards for each child.

FIR ST REA DING : A reading from the prophet Jeremiah: ‘I the Lord will bring the rest of my people back from the lands where I have scattered them. I will bring them home, and they will grow into a mighty nation. I will choose leaders who will take care of them. Every one of my people will be there, and they will never again be frightened or terrified. I, the Lord, have spoken! I promise that the time will come when I will choose a king from the family of David. He will be wise and will rule the land with justice and fairness. As long as he is king, Judah will be safe, and Israel will live in peace. The name of this king will be, ‘The Lord is our Protector!’ This is the Word of the Lord. PSALM : Response: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life. NB. The psalm may be sung instead of recited.

ALLELUIA :

GOSPEL :

You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe.

Your kindness and love will always be with me every day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, O Lord.

Alleluia, alleluia. My sheep listen to my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia. A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark.

After the apostles returned to Jesus, they told him everything they had done and taught. But so many people were coming and going that Jesus and the apostles did not even have a chance to eat. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go to a place where we can be alone and get some rest.” They left in a boat for a place where they could be alone. But many people saw them leave and figured out where they were going. So people from every town ran on ahead and got there first. When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw the large crowd that was like sheep without a shepherd. He felt sorry for the people and started teaching them many things. This is the Gospel of the Lord. NB. All Readings are taken from the ‘Lectionary for Masses with Children’ canonically approved for use in the USA.