The first reading for today's liturgy, taken from the first book of Samuel, recounts the story of the anointing of David, the great King. This is a wonderful story that contrasts the way that human logic is so often overcome by God's divine logic.
Samuel had recently been grieved by the death of his beloved friend Saul and yet the Lord encouraged him: Fill your horn with oil and be on your way (1 Sam 16:1). How often are we tempted to stand still: to admire something wonderful that we have experienced, or stopped in our tracks because of grief. Sometimes we seem to forget how to listen to the voice of God, and yet he constantly encourages us to be on our way for there is always something more that God needs to do, and he needs us to be his instruments.
In the case of Samuel, God sent him to Jesse of Bethlehem. Perhaps Samuel did not know why he was being sent to Jesse, but God had a plan. How often it happens that God sends us to places, puts us in circumstances where he needs us to be present. We don't always understand why, and yet when we look through the lens of faith, we begin to understand that we are in the places where He needs us at the times when He needs us to be there, not to do our own bidding but to do His work. If Samuel had not responded to God's invitation, he would never have set out to visit Jesse, and if he had not visited Jesse, he would not have come face to face with all of Jesse's sons, including David: the one who the Lord had chosen (cf 1 Sam 16:4-13).
Today, let us ask the Lord to guide our steps. Let us dare to allow Him to put us in the places and circumstances where he needs us to be. When we do, He can use us to do his work and in the end, we are constantly surprised at the good things that are accomplished.
Have a great day.
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