But the Lord said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. God does not see as a mortal, who sees the appearance. The Lord looks into the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7

       How many of us have judged people by the way they look? It’s common to feel more at ease with a person who looks, sounds and even feels good.

       But let me ask you this: How many of us have judged a situation based on the way it looked? What I mean is, if it looked good, sounded good and felt good, then by all means it should be good, right? But what if it was the other way around?

       When we encounter something like this, then maybe it’s time to dig deep into our hearts.

        Many of our dreams are never realized because of the challenges we face. Many of our goals are never achieved because of the difficulties we need to overcome. Many of our plans are never followed because sticking to them is hard.

Reflection: Look deep into your heart. Dig deep into it. The Lord always does.

Lord, grant me the courage to do what is right, no matter what the cost.

St. Fillan, pray for us.

Saul resorts to consulting a witch for advice later on. Samuel writes that disobedience is a rebellion and a form of idolatry. He is now mourning the failure of Saul to be a good leader, but God tells him to snap out of it and get on with life. God has another man in mind for the role of a king. Even in the midst of human failure, God does not give up on us — He simply moves on to the next step.

1 The Lord said to Samuel: “How long will you grieve for Saul, whom I have rejected as king of Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.” 2 But Samuel replied: “How can I go? Saul will hear of it and kill me.” To this the Lord answered: “Take a heifer along and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I myself will tell you what to do; you are to anoint for me the one I point out to you.” 4 Samuel did as the Lord had commanded him. When he entered Bethlehem, the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and inquired, “Is your visit peaceful, O seer?” 5 He replied: “Yes! I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. So cleanse yourselves and join me today for the banquet.” He also had Jesse and his sons cleanse themselves and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 As they came, he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is here before him.” 7But the Lord said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because he sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him before Samuel, who said, “The Lord has not chosen him.” 9 Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 10 In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any one of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.” 12 Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The Lord said, “There—anoint him, for this is he!” 13 Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and from that day on, the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David. When Samuel took his leave, he went to Ramah.

P S A L M 

Psalm 89:20, 21-22, 27-28

R: I have found David, my servant.

19 [20] Once you spoke in a vision, and to your faithful ones you said: “On a champion I have placed a crown; over the people I have set a youth.” (R) 20 [21] “I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, 21 [22] that my hand may be always with him, and that my arm may make him strong.” (R) 26 [27] “He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior.’ 27 [28] And I will make him the first-born, highest of the kings of the earth.” (R)

GOSPEL 

The Sabbath prohibition of work does not apply to health situations. If one’s health is going to suffer from inaction, then it is OK to break this law. Jesus is not interested in legalism for the sake of the Law. The Law should serve the people and not the other way around.

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.

23 As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. 24 At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” 25 He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? 26 How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?” 27 Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. 28 That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”

think: The Law should serve the people and not the other way around.

Thank You Lord for: __________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Luke 21-24

LOVE ABOVE LAW

The Pharisees accused Jesus and His disciples for violating the law on the Sabbath. They saw Jesus’ group picking some heads of grains while walking in the greenfields. Jesus took the opportunity to clarify the Law and remind them of its spirit by citing that David and his hungry men ate the consecrated bread which only priests could eat. Then Jesus told them that Sabbath was made for man and not man for Sabbath. The law should serve man and not vice versa.

       In law, there is a dictum which states “dura lex, sed lex” which means, “the law may be harsh, but it is the law.” This is how the Pharisees looked at the Torah, but Jesus brought it back to its true spirit. The welfare of man is paramount, not the law. The fact that it is harsh already says that it does not apply. Exceptions are not violations or disrespect but manifestations of the limitations of the law.

       If you see a person dying on the road on your way to church, will you still proceed to worship? Or will you stop and help the dying person? I’m sure God will not fault you for not going to church because you helped a dying person. Love calls us to serve.

       God gave us laws and commandments so we will have a list of things we ought to do — and not do. But they are not everything. Doing only those listed is not enough. Our focus must be the Lord and not only the law. That is why Jesus told the rich young man, who wanted to gain eternal life and followed the commandments since he was young, to leave everything and follow Him.

       Following the law is not enough. Following Jesus is what’s necessary. Fr. Benny Tuazon

REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you more focused on the Lord or on your religious practices?

Lord, Your love is worth more than all the laws combined. Remind me to love others, too, above all things. Amen.