Homily: July 7, 2026, Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time (Shepherd)

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In today's first reading, the Lord says through the prophet Hosea: "They made kings in Israel, but not by my authority; they established princes, but without my approval."

I wonder what would go through Pope Leo’s mind when he reads this passage today. Just last week, the Holy See excommunicated six bishops from the SSPX (Society of St. Pius X), four of whom were newly consecrated without the approval of the Vatican. Sadly, this is not the first time in the history of the Church. Throughout the centuries, there have been similar situations where certain individuals or groups have outright opposed the authority established by Christ and acted against the unity of His Church.

Today’s Gospel is so apt. Jesus looks upon the crowds and sees sheep without a shepherd. He is not simply talking about people who have no leaders, but rather lacking leaders after the heart of God. There is no true shepherd.

"I will give you shepherds after my own heart" (Jeremiah 3:15). Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of that promise. He is the Good Shepherd because He remained completely obedient to His Father, unwavering in the face of suffering and death. 

And so it should be for His Body, the Church. Every bishop, priest, and deacon is called to shepherd God's people in communion with Christ and His Church. That is why the promise of obedience made at ordination is critically important. It is not mere obedience to a person; it is obedience to Christ, who appointed Peter to feed His sheep, that is to guide and guard His Church, and this mission and authority continues through the successors of St. Peter and the apostles.

At the end of the Gospel, Jesus says, "The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few." The Church does not simply need more workers. She needs holy workers who are obedient to the will of God, to round up the sheep and gather all souls to God.

Let us pray for Pope Leo, all bishops, all priests and deacons, and all religious leaders in the church. We also pray for more vocations after the heart of Christ.

Amen.


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