Lectionary Readings for the 16th Sunday of the Year, Year B

Readings, Responsorial Psalm and Gospel

Reading I, Jer 23, 1-6

A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah
The remnant of the flock I will gather to me, and
bring them back to their pastures.

Woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the
flock of my pasture, says the Lord. Therefore, thus
says the Lord, the God of Israel, against the
shepherds who shepherd my people: You have scattered
my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared
for them, but I will take care to punish your
evil deeds. I myself will gather the remnant
of my flock from all the lands to which I have
driven them and bring them back to their meadow;
there they shall increase and multiply. I will
appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them
so that they need no longer fear and tremble; and
none shall be missing, says the Lord. Behold, the
days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise
up a righteous shoot to David; as king he shall
reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just
and right in the land. In his days Judah shall be
saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the
name they give him: "The Lord our justice."
The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm, Ps 23, 1-3. 3-4. 5. 6. R. v. 1

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

1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul. R.

2. He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage. R.

3. You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. R.

4. Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for years to come. R.

Reading II, Eph 2, 13-18

A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians
Christ is the peace between us.

In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been
brought near through the blood of Christ. It is he
who is our peace, and who made the two of us one
by breaking down the barrier of hostility that
kept us apart. In his own flesh he abolished the
law with its commands and precepts, to create in
himself one new man from us who had been two, and
to make peace, reconciling both of us to God in
one body through his cross which put that enmity
to death. He came and "announced the good news of
peace to you who were far off, and to those who
were near"; through him we both have access in one
Spirit to the Father.
The Word of the Lord.

Gospel, Mk 6, 30-34

Alleluia Jn 1, 14. 12
R. Alleluia. The Word of God became a man and
lived among us. He enabled those who accepted him to
become the children of God. R. Alleluia.

A Reading from the Holy Gospel, According to Mark
They were as sheep without a shepherd.

The apostles returned to Jesus and reported to him all
that they had done and what they had taught. He said
to them, "Come by yourselves to an out-of-the-way place
and rest a little." People were coming and going in
great numbers, making it impossible for them to so
much as eat. So Jesus and the apostles went off in the
boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them
leaving, and many got to know about it. People from all
the towns hastened on foot to the place, arriving ahead
of them. Upon disembarking Jesus saw a vast crowd. He
pitied them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them at great length.
This is the gospel of the Lord.

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