Jesus, Christ the King

by David Lins  |  11/26/2023  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

So many people who claim to have read the Bible, but have only read excerpts claim that the “God of the Old Testament” is angry, vengeful, and only cares about judgement.

They turn around and think his Son showed up two thousand years ago and flipped the script. Jesus was entirely focused on forgiveness, mercy, and love.

As if the two aren’t the same God…

In fact, Jesus spoke more about the reality of hell than anyone else in the Bible. And the Old Testament contains beautiful descriptions of God’s tender love—like in this Sunday’s first reading from Ezekiel: “I myself will look after and tend my sheep... I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark. I myself will pasture my sheep. I myself will give them rest...The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal…”

Our Father loves us so. He always has.

He longs for us to know him. To find rest and healing in him.

The best known of the Psalms, Psalm 23 echoes this. (As an aside—still the Old Testament.) “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose. Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.” It goes on from there—and you should open your Bible and read it through.

The point is: he loves you and wants to give you wonderful gifts. Let him.

Keep attending Mass weekly. (Even daily, if possible.) Make time for the sacrament of reconciliation. Take time each day for prayer. (I’ve been using the Hallow app on my phone to join in the evening prayers of the Church.)

...and carve out this Monday and Tuesday night to come to the church for a very powerful Parish Advent Mission with Catholic Answers Senior Apologist, Tim Staples. Incredibly knowledgeable and featured on any Catholic television or radio station you’ve ever heard of, Tim is a dynamic speaker and I’m so happy we were able to get him to come to our parish. So join me for two very special nights this week beginning at 6:30PM in the church!