Memorial of Saint Agnes, virgin and martyr

Lectionary: 312​

“I have found David, my servant;

with my holy oil I have anointed him,

That my hand may be always with him,

and that my arm may make him strong.”

Both readings today, and the responsorial psalm, refer to King David, the third and last of the most important Old Testament persons. With Abraham and Moses, he figures prominently in the reformulated religion that is the Church and Christianity. Jesus first, and then the apostles and evangelists, recalled these champions as they scraped the barnacles of Pharisaism off the Jewish tradition. If Christianity seemed an offshoot of Judaism, or an attempt to reform its mother religion from outside, Christians knew it as the true and ancient faith of Abraham, Moses and David.

Our story from First Samuel recalls God's decision to remove the warrior commander Saul from headship, and appoint an inexperienced, young shepherd in his place. David was such an unpromising lad that his father Jesse did not bother to present him to Samuel when the old man appeared in his house. He was out in the pastures tending the flocks and could stay there for the time being.

But Samuel was on a mission, sent by the Lord to appoint Saul's replacement, and he could see that none of the Jesse's older sons would measure up. Despite their size, strength, charm, and handsome appearance, they lacked one critical asset, God's favor. Samuel knew the blessing was meant for this house and one of Jesse's sons; and so he waited for the boy to appear.

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.

We have seen that same Holy Spirit rush upon Jesus as he was baptized in the Jordan River. Sharing Samuel's gift of prophecy by our Baptism, we can see that Jesus is the One, despite his unpretentious appearances in the manger, the temple, and on the cross. We are persuaded by his "disappearances" after his crucifixion, when we caught a glimpse of him in Emmaus, the Upper Room in Jerusalem, and on a mountain in Galilee. The Son of David is the Son of God.

In today's gospel, the Lord reminds his critics of David's freedom. David had God's spirit and knew the mind of the Lord. He wanted what God wanted and could do as he pleased, with the confidence of God's endorsement. In later years, he would grow indolent -- "fat, lazy, and stupid" -- and would commit awful crimes; but for the time being, in his struggle with Saul, he had God's full support.

But, Jesus, the Son of David never lost his edge. Where the ancient king of Jerusalem died in his bed, surrounded by comfort, Jesus died on a wooden cross.

As we celebrate the virgin martyr Agnes we ask the Lord to help us keep this sharp, intense, zealous dedication to the Lord. It is easy to become used to the privileges of clean water, safe food, and reliable services in a stable economic/political society. Because we rarely have to go hungry, we lose the taste for fasting. But we should know there are costs for this ease, and they are paid by the world's poor. Our security is a house of cards, and our martyrs remind us that freedom is not free. We pray that we will be found worthy of their company when the crisis comes.