The Chief Shepherd (Solemnity of Christ the King)

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One of the common motifs in the Ancient Near East was that of the king as a pastor. Kings were likened to shepherds, and their subjects as their flock, whom they protected and cared for. This shepherd motif also emphasized the authority of the ruling classes over those under them. For them, it was both a privilege and a responsibility.

It is no surprise then that when God chose a shepherd boy such as David to establish a dynasty that will rule over Israel. Just as David pastored over his father's sheep, so would he be pastor over the people of Israel, as would be his descendants after him.

Over time, however, they would begin to abuse their authority. They would exploit the people and enrich themselves with the largesse that they collected. Worse still, they would lead them astray by encouraging idolatry and lawlessness among the people.

It eventually got to the point where God declared through the prophet Ezekiel that He would judge them for their dereliction of duty:

Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, says the Lord God, because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd; and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep; therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my sheep at their hand, and put a stop to their feeding the sheep; no longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. (Ezekiel 34:7-10)

In their place, God Himself would assume the role of shepherd. He had always been the Chief Shepherd of the people, as David himself would confess: “The Lord is my Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1). But now, God will take a more direct role in the care of the flock, as He will ensure that they are safe, and that the lesser among them are cared for.

This carries over to the New Testament, where Jesus Christ is referred to as the Chief Shepherd, with the clergy as His under-shepherds (1 Peter 5:4). This is in keeping with our current celebration of Christ as King. These two titles complement each other, and remind us that Christ both rules over us and cares for us. Furthermore, we can be assured that even if the under-shepherds do not fulfill their duty, our Chief Shepherd will never fail to do so, and will take care of the flock no matter what happens, and this is a source of comfort for us in the trying times we find ourselves in.

J. Luis Dizon