Ezekiel — Chapter 34

They have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the broken, brought back the strayed, sought the lost: Lapide provides a detailed analysis of the five pastoral duties corresponding to the five neglects of the false shepherds. He connects each to specific obligations in the Tridentine Reform's vision of episcopal ministry.

'Ego ipse requirem oves meas' — I myself will seek my sheep: Lapide's powerful commentary on the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:11) as the fulfillment of this promise. Christ says 'I am the good shepherd' in direct appropriation of this divine promise; His three-year public ministry was the literalization of seeking the lost sheep of Israel.

I will seek the lost, bring back the strayed, bind up the injured, strengthen the weak, but the fat and strong I will destroy: Lapide reads the destruction of the fat and strong as divine judgment on those who have received greatest gifts and abused them. He cites Lk. 12:48 ('to whom much is given, much is required') and develops a theology of the particular severity of judgment on the privileged.

'Et suscitabo super eas pastorem unum, servum meum David' — I will raise up one shepherd, my servant David: Lapide identifies this as Christ, the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10), the true David (king) who alone fulfills the pastoral office perfectly. He notes that 'one shepherd' (pastorem unum) refutes any schism or division in the Church.

The covenant of peace (foedus pacis) and the removal of wild beasts: Lapide reads this as the new covenant of grace (Heb. 8), under which the beasts of passion are restrained by the Holy Spirit's gifts, and the soul rests secure in God's fidelity. He connects to Is. 11:6-9 (lion lying with the lamb).