Take a moment to centre yourself in prayer:
O God, look into our hearts, and know us as we are. Watch us, as we live and move and explore the world around us. See us, as we question our beliefs, our relationships, our selves. Envision us, as you created us to be. Be our eyes, O God, as we follow this Lenten path, and as we find our way back to you, Amen
The theme of anointing is in our three main scriptures today.
Most of the world’s religions have some ritual of anointing. From the ancient practice of applying on one's skin the fat of an enemy in war or an animal killed in a hunt, in order to take on their best qualities to the Egyptian kingdom, which appears to be the first to anoint kings with oil as part of their coronation. Hindu traditions use anointing to mark auspicious occasions like new birth, marriage, coming of age.
In the Bible the main reasons for anointing are:
healing/burial; hospitality; “ordination” or coronation; or to mark a holy time or place. In the present day, churches use anointing for healing rituals, like the Sacrament of the sick, for baptism (after the water), and for recognition or commission of a special ministry. The Ashes of Ash Wednesday are often mixed with oil to represent repentence AND healing.
READ 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Samuel was chronologically one of the first "official" prophets, after Miriam and Deborah. The prophetic tradition became more important as Israel became a monarchy. The prophets acted as the king's "loyal opposition" - speaking for Yahweh when the king needed correction!
Samuel had been the one to anoint Saul as king (story in I Samuel:9) But now Saul is insane, corrupt, and overstepping his bounds, acting like a god himself. Yahweh wants Samuel to start over, in a context of danger, where all political opposition is punishable by death.
This raises the question: Does God make mistakes? Or was Saul's decline part of God's plan, as the old king becomes a foil for Good King David.
In verse 1, God remarks on how Samuel is still grieving over Saul. Anointing is an act of covenant, it binds not only the one receiving it, but the one providing it. Saul and Samuel are connected spiritually. This is why Samuel grieves for Saul's descent. In verse 3, we are reminded how it is God who is in control – the new ruler will not be Samuel’s choice, but chosen by what cannot be seen on the outside.
In verse 5, Jesse and his sons are sanctified or consecrated – meaning a ritual purification before sacrifice. There follows a parade of strong sons, but God is not looking for strength but a heart felt connection. Depending on the translation, David may be ruddy, sunburned, red-headed. Good-looking, too young, but also a hard-worker. Straight from the fields, Samuel does not "consecrate" him, but anoints David just as he is. This is no public endorsement, but a simple act of recognition – did David even understand??
Question for Reflection:
What “unlikely leaders” has God put in your path?
READ Psalm 23:5-6
Usually we look at the shepherd images from a pastoral perspective, but we also need to see the political implications of relying on God, instead of the king. Philip Jenkins in the Christian Century wrote:
Read Psalm 23 as a political tract, a rejection of unjust secular authority. For Africans and Asians, the psalm offers a stark rebuttal to claims by unjust states that they care lovingly for their subjects – while they exalt themselves to the heavens. Christians simply reply: The LORD is my shepherd – you aren’t” Adding to the power to the psalm, the evils that it condemns are at once political and spiritual, forces of tyranny and of the devil. Besides its political role, Psalm 23 is much used in services of healing, exorcism and deliverance.
In the ancient near east, the shepherd was a common image for kings. They had responsibility to provide food and shelter – especially for the most vulnerable. In Israel the "shepherd" kings were failing, taking after Saul rather than David. "For his name’s sake" – God is true to character, but the king does not live up to his title. Even in North America, the psalm can be a political statement - materialism keeps us from trusting God.
The host imagery continues the theme of justice: providing for the guests, like sheep, not neglecting them. There is also a play on words – while the enemies are sharing the table, goodness and mercy “pursue” rather than follow the author.
Question for Reflection:
Is there a political angle in the psalm that speaks to your life?
READ John 9:1-41
John uses the pattern of SIGN (healing)/ DIALOGUE (between man and Pharisees)/DISOURSE (Jesus' final comments)
Being born blind, it was assumed to be caused by sin, hence the disciples' question: is this a sign of original or inherited sin? Jesus replies: so that the work of God can be revealed ??? Was that so Jesus could do a miracle – or so that others' prejudice and ignorance could be “detected”?? John uses the light and darkness, blindness and sight imagery to his metaphorical advantage. The blind man is anointed with mud and spit! The man born blind did not ask to be healed, but Jesus chose him as an example, and the man complied with Jesus’ instructions.
What follows is the reaction of others – the grapevine goes to work! Disbelief, amazement, denial, seeking proof. The Pharisees are involved and dispute the man's testimony, finally rejecting it because he was born to sin!
The theme of the whole passage is transformation: how and why it happens, how and why we resist it. We can “bureaucratize” the Word by denying it's power, asking for proof, asking for traditional concepts. But it does not change the reality that when the time is right – God's tranformation takes place. We would do well to prepare!!
Closing Prayer:
We cannot always see God’s reign, even if our eyes have sight.
We cannot always hear God’s reign, even if our ears can hear.
We cannot always touch God’s reign, even if we can stretch our fingers far and wide.
We cannot always sense God’s reign unless we are ready to open ourselves, honestly, and completely, to God. Christ calls us here to open our eyes to God’s love.
Christ calls us here, and here we come, to Christ. Amen
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