by Msgr. Joseph Calise

It has often been said that sheep are stupid animals. In some ways, I suppose, that is correct. After all, there is little they know how to do except listen for the shepherd’s voice and stay close to one another, even if playing follow-the-leader will lead them to the shearers.

Yet, today’s readings make us question whether there is a wisdom hidden there that we would do well to learn and imitate. Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Christ the King. The readings, of course, help us to understand what that means.

The prophet Ezekiel teaches us the good things a shepherd will do for his sheep. As their master, he cares for them – whatever their needs might be. He feeds them, protects them from enemies, searches for them when they are lost or hurt, gives them rest.  All they have to do is recognize his voice and follow – if they listen to the commands he gives them, they will be safe.

Obedience, Allegiance
It is easy to compare the relationship between the sheep and their shepherd to our relationship with Christ, the Good Shepherd. Of course, He takes care of us, pastures us and provides for us. However, remembering that this is the Solemnity of Christ the King – not the Good Shepherd – brings our need to respond to a different level. We must obediently follow if we are to receive the safety the King generously offers. If He is going to offer us protection, we must offer Him allegiance. If He is going to give us guidance, we must give the time it takes in prayer and meditation to learn His will for us.

One of the most clever pieces of dialogue in the Honeymooner television series takes place during one of Ralph Kramden’s (Jackie Gleason) many rants at his wife, Alice (Audrey Meadows). He says to her as he pokes his finger into his own chest, “I’m the king, Alice, the king of the castle. You, you’re nothing.” To which she simply responds, “That’s right, Ralph. You’re the king of nothing.”

Showing Loyalty as Church
Although I have not quoted verbatim, I think the point is well made. Acknowledging kingship demands loyalty – if we are not loyal subjects, we can hardly call Christ our King. Although that might make us feel a bit liberated temporarily, it denies us the long-term benefits. So, presuming we acknowledge the kingship of Christ, how do we show ourselves to be His subjects? The Gospel teaches us that loyalty to Christ is lived out as a Church.

The parable in today’s Gospel reading from Matthew is one of the easiest to understand even if it is one of the most difficult to live. It reads: “Whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.”

All around us are people in need: the poor, the sick, the hungry. All around us are those who feel isolated or marginalized because of their race, faith, language or sexual orientation. All around us are those to whom Christ reached out in the Gospel: the lepers, the sinners, the forgotten and misunderstood members of society. If Christ Who is King loves them as He loves us then His love binds us all together.

To love Christ is to love one another because we share the bond of His love that cannot be broken. To refuse to love one another is to refuse to love Christ. But, that love is mutual. Each of us at some time feels apart from the herd. Each of us at some time feels forgotten or marginalized – a democrat at the Republican Convention is no more or less out of place than a republican at the Democratic Convention.

Just as we reach out to others – they reach out to us offering their support and love when we need them. Church is formed when a bond of mutual love is established based on common allegiance to Our King, Who offers us not only a growing abundance of His love but ultimately a place in His kingdom.[hr]

All around us are people in need …
those who feel isolated or marginalized …
the sinners, the forgotten and misunderstood …
If Christ Who is King loves them as He loves us
then His love binds us all together.

[hr]
It has often been said that sheep are stupid animals. In some ways, I suppose, that is correct. After all, there is little they know how to do except listen for the shepherd’s voice and stay close to one another.
On the other hand, they just might be wiser than we think.[hr] Readings for the Solemnity of Christ the King
    Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
    Psalm 23: 1-2, 2-3, 5-6
    1 Corinthians 15: 20-26, 28
    Matthew 25:31-46[hr]Msgr. Calise is the pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish, Williamsburg.