Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - Ez 34:11-12, 15-17; Ps 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6; 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28; Mt 25:31-46 In the 10 verses that precede our first reading from Ezekiel 34, the Lord God condemns the errant leaders of his people, who have neglected the flock of the Lord to feather their own nests: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves!” The Lord God delivers a stinging indictment of their behavior — exploitation and abuse of the ones in their care — and vows to put a stop to their shepherding. Today’s reading then unfolds with tender images of the Lord God gathering his scattered sheep and taking care of their…