"IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCATTERED SHEEP" (Ezekiel 34:12)
This Sunday is very significant in the Church's life because we are not only ending the liturgical year, but it comes with the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King. Thus, a two-fold celebration. This will affirm the fact that at the end of time, Christ will reign as King and his Kingdom will prevail forever.
One striking detail I would like to share with you is from Ezekiel 34: 12.
Of course, this text is dated around 600 BCE. What comes to mind is the Babylonian Exile in 597-586 BCE. The text attacks leadership. The three groups of leaders in Ancient Israel at the time were PRIESTS, PROPHETS and KINGS. Surprisingly, these people are chosen by God to work and oversee the daily life of the Israelites. Losing sight of their divine mandate to cater for the socio-economic and religious life of the people, they failed in their duties — they failed woefully.
Agriculture was the main occupation in Ancient Israel. There will certainly be people who are into animal husbandry. Some will have sheep and even send them out to the fields to feed. They will become shepherds over these sheep.
Ezekiel uses the same image to say that the Israelites are sheep and the leaders are Shepherds.
Now, just imagine what will happen to sheep sent out to feed and the shepherd is doing something else. Today, we might say that the shepherd is on his phone, on social media, etc.
God CHOSE them and they failed to work as expected. God then said, *"Alright, don't worry! You've done much harm! I will do it myself".* Imagine the shame in this.
How is he going to do it? He says, "As a shepherd keeps all his flock in view when he stands up in the MIDDLE of his scattered sheep, so shall I keep my sheep in view" (Ezekiel 34: 12).
My emphasis is on the word MIDDLE. The Hebrew word used by the author is TÂVEK. It is the same word used to describe the position of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden to be in the centre of the garden (Genesis 2: 9; 3:3).
Standing in the middle or centre means that you are part of the situation. God doing the work of the shepherd and standing in the middle or centre means that he identifies with the joys and pains, the hopes and despair, the cries and laughter of the sheep. In fact, whatever happens to the sheep, he will feel it. If they cry, he will cry too.
This is DIVINE PRESENCE; this is the KINGDOM OF GOD establishing itself with the King himself as Shepherd at work.
Leaders who fail to establish the Kingdom of God in the centre of the people will be removed. As in Matthew 25, they will be thrown into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
How do we establish the Kingdom of God in the centre of people? How do we make the Divine Presence felt? How do we build God's Kingdom in the heart of his faithful?
"Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, be hospitable, clothe the naked, visit the sick, visit prisoners" (Matthew 25: 31-46).
May the Kingdom of God be established in the hearts of all. Amen
Peace and Goodness.
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