Reflection for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time…July 21, 2024

by Ed McKibbin, Notre Dame Associate

I recently heard a commentary on this Sunday’s gospel on Catholic radio. This commentary referenced the word “pity”, and how this word, despite typically having a negative connotation, should actually bring us great comfort in our lives. Christ “pities” us when we are distressed.

As the first reading tells us, God will send his son (“I will raise up a righteous shoot to David”) to serve as our shepherd, because without Christ in our life we are lost sheep. When we have those moments of despair in our lives, we need to always remember that our Shepherd is there for us taking pity on our situation. In turn, we are called to share this message with others who are hurting and need the Shepherd to guide them to a better place in their life.