Sheep Shepherds and Goats

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. The leadership of the people of God is described in the reading from the Prophet Ezekiel and in the well known Psalm 23 as shepherd-like. The consequence of such leadership for the people is the security and certainty of the dominance of goodness and mercy in our relationship with God. The action required to bring this will of the Father that the scattered, lost and strayed be brought back to the attention and care of the community has, according to Friar Jude Winkler, been neglected by the kings of Israel, in the Exile time of Ezekiel. The leaders who have used their position to enrich themselves will be replaced by a Covenant relationship between the weak, lost and injured and the Presence of God. Fr Larry Gillick, SJ, carries the theme of investment from recent Gospel readings to the Latin origin of the "vest" which Jesus wears and shares with those mentioned in the "Last Judgement" texts from the Gospel of Matthew. The distinction is made in this Gospel between sheep and goats. Friar Jude explains the behavior observed in these animals by the herds people of Matthew's day. Sheep graze and drink while maintaining the life of the grass and stream. Goats destroy the grass roots and muddy the stream as they take care of their needs to the exclusion of others. This battle between providing for ourselves and being food, drink, comfort and security for others in whom Jesus is invested is on going. The proclamation of Paul that even our tendency to self aggrandizement will be defeated as Jesus reign as King puts all his enemies under His feet encourages us to complete this liturgical year and look forward to grow more aware next yearof our membership in His Kingdom.