Homily for Tuesday
Week 2 of Ordinary Time
Jan.
16, 2024
1 Sam 16: 1-13
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph Residence,
N.R.
“The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David” (1 Sam 16: 13).
I love
that phrase! It sounds like a mighty
wind blowing over and thru David—like the winds we had on the weekend, which
almost knocked me over while I was walking in Five Islands Park. The RSV renders the phrase: “The Spirit of
the Lord came mightily upon David.”
The
Spirit comes over David because the Lord has chosen him. Very clearly, the boy—and he’s just a boy,
not even considered when Jesse presents his sons to Samuel—has no striking
merits except that he’s “handsome to behold, making a splendid appearance”
(16:12). That’s not the stuff of
kings. But “God looks into the heart”
(16:7). God sees someone who will
cooperate with grace, someone who will carry out his will, and for that purpose
God’s “arm [will] make him strong” (Ps 89:21).
That’s
why God has chosen you, brothers—to be disciples of his Son Jesus, to be
anointed with sacred chrism, made Christ; and to be consecrated further as
Christian Brothers who have tried and continue to try to carry out his will,
especially toward the young sheep of the divine flock. Whether you’re “handsome to behold” matters
not. The openness of your heart to the
Spirit of God matters. May that Spirit
rush upon you as you continue to live your Christian and religious vocations. God’s mighty arm is with you.
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