Our Teacher and Shepherd

Homily for Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Each of us has probably been in a similar situation such as the one in which Solomon finds himself in the first reading for today’s liturgy. The first time we walk into a new job, the first time we walk into classroom or hospital, the first time we welcome a child into our lives, any of the many first times that we experience in life are all similar to the situation in which Solomon finds himself at the beginning of his reign. In his prayer Solomon admits that he has little experience. However, if we have followed his story throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, we learn that Solomon has experience in violence and in warfare. In approaching God in prayer, he seems to realize that he needs another kind of experience – the wisdom to govern a vast number of people. In answer to his prayer, God gives him the wisdom and understanding to distinguish right from wrong.

In today’s Gospel reading, the apostles have returned from their excursions during which they have been able to cure illnesses and expel demons. Though St. Mark does not mention it, the other Gospels relate that the apostles were excited and could not wait to tell Jesus of their exploits. Jesus realized that they needed some time to decompress and to express their wonder at their abilities. He tries to find a time and place where they can rest from their labors. St. Mark explains that the crowds did not leave them any time for this needed break.

Just as God granted Solomon his wish, Jesus also tries to listen to the needs of his apostles. Though the outcome of these two stories is different, their impetus was the same; namely, a need to spend time alone with God in prayer and recollection. Such time is also needed in our lives, a time to let us develop in our sensitivities and in our understanding of how we are to act as disciples of the Lord in our own world.

In our responsorial psalm today, we pray: “Lord, teach me your statutes.” The Lord acts as our teacher, our shepherd, and the source of all understanding as we make our way through the experiences, be they new or old, of our lives.