Chosen and invited

The path to deeper relationship with God is a reflection which may be generated by the texts in the Roman CatholicLectionary. The passage from the First Book of Samuel tells of how Saul, the very handsome Benjaminite, came to be anointed by the prophet Samuel to transition the people of Israel and Judah to rule by a king from the method of rule by charismatic judges who had none of the political resources of standing armies or a capital city to support their authority. Friar Jude Winkler comments on this as a weak start to a monarchy. We might reflect that the tallest and most handsome may not have had the skills for this role? The anointing of a king with oil reminds Tom Shanahan, S.J. at Creighton University of Baptism when Christians are signed as priest, prophet and king with oil. The nature of our baptismal call is not to have us rule over others with special religious status, wisdom and authority but to be priest as Christ present to those who are described in the Gospel of Mark as the sick and sinners. Our prophetic words invite others, as Jesus does Levi, to follow. Our kingly position is modeled by Jesus in leading by action for those like the tax collectors in the Gospel of Mark who are shunned for fear of the sickness of their sin being contagious. Friar Jude reminds us that disciples of Jesus do not seek the reason for the sickness or sin of others. The situation of people may be rooted in circumstances beyond their control or they may have brought their difficulty upon themselves by poor decisions. We are challenged to act as Jesus and invite all to be brothers and sisters on the path to a deeper relationship with God.