Christ the True King

07-18-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Arul Doss

Dear people of God,

Good morning to you all. On this sixteenth Sunday of the ordinary time, the readings invite us to celebrate Christ, the true king and compassionate shepherd who redeems and restores his people to the Father.

Our first reading is a messianic prophesy. That is, a prophesy about the coming of Christ, the Messiah. In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah, thunders against Israel’s careless leaders – the king, some priests, and some court prophets – because they have shown no concern for the poor.

The prophet also foretells the rise of a new, good shepherd in the family-line of David. Then he consoles the Israelites enslaved in Babylon, assuring them that God will lead them back to their original pasture in Israel. Today’s Good Shepherd Psalm (Ps 23) affirms David’s Faith and trust in God, the “Good Shepherd.”

The second reading introduces Jesus as the shepherd of both the Jews and the Gentiles and explains how Jesus, the good shepherd, has reconciled all of us with His Father by offering Himself on the cross. Paul also speaks about another reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles, brought about by Jesus’ accepting both into the same Christian brotherhood.

In the gospel, Christ also demonstrated that he is that promised Davidic king and good shepherd. He will not rest until our souls and our land is completely healed and restored to his Father. This was why he had to terminate his vacation in order to attend to his people. As a compassionate and wise king, Jesus knows our situation. He is doing something about it and, will not rest until we are redeemed and restored to God. He does not keep quiet over our situations. The good news is that God will restore us.

This is a message of hope for all passing through all forms of political, social and economic crisis. We simply need obey the Christ’s teachings and instructions in order to be redeemed and restored to his Father. Trusting Christ our king and shepherd, let us always proclaim without ceasing: “The Lord is my shepherd. There is nothing I shall want!”

Have a happy and Blessed Sunday!

Yours in Jesus,
Fr. Doss