In today’s first reading we have the narration of the anointing of David as King. None of the seven sons whom Jesse presented to Samuel were worthy in the sight of God. But at last David was chosen to be the new King. He was the youngest and the unexpected one. Though he was a shepherd boy, he was good hearted. Prophet Samuel had different thoughts regarding the candidate for king but God makes known to him that David will be the new king.
“Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 1 Sam 16:7”
God does not choose His servants the way the world chooses them. It is important for us to know that God knows what is best. No matter how insignificant a chosen person might be, it is God’s choice. His choices are always perfect. What matters is not one’s age nor one’s profession. The only thing that matters is one’s heart is docile to carry out God’s plan. And David had it.
Let us remember, whom the world labels as unintelligent, God qualifies them to be faithful. Whom the world looks at as insignificant; God sees them as someone beautiful. Whom the world considers to be the last and the least, God loves them and makes them first.
God revealed to Samuel that “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart”. This makes it clear that a person’s true character does not lie in appearance but in his heart. What is externally seen is ones BEAUTY but what lies inside the heart is one’s GOODNESS. When it comes to choose a person as a life partner, or as an employee, or as a leader, our human tendency is to prefer persons with richness and beauty, skills and talents, experience and strength. But God has only one criterion for His choice: “Goodness of heart”. Let us invest more in this and enrich our personality. Only a good person can win God’s heart. Let’s make sure we are good hearted.
Fr Ranjit Ekka OFMCap
