Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

 Lectionary: 310

Then, from a flask he had with him, Samuel poured oil on Saul’s head; he also kissed him, saying:
“The LORD anoints you commander over his heritage. You are to govern the LORD’s people Israel, and to save them from the grasp of their enemies roundabout. This will be the sign for you that the LORD has anointed you commander over his heritage.”

For tragedies we usually turn to the Greek playwrights and the Englishman, William Shakespeare; but there is one outstanding tragedy in the Bible; and that is the story of King Saul. The crucifixion of Jesus cannot be a tragedy despite its horror because every Christian knows it leads to his Resurrection and recognition as the only begotten Son of God. Tragedies do not have a happy ending. 

Until recently, tragedies always concerned the great and powerful, and their catastrophic fall. We think of Oedipus, Medea, Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth. (Modern playwrights like Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller depict the quiet desperation of lesser people.) Saul fits the classical definition of tragedy because of his anointing as "commander of the (Lord's) heritage." 

A tall, handsome, capable warrior, he was chosen for greatness by the Lord and anointed by Samuel. His anointing proved his charisma as farmers, shepherds, and more than a few rogues turned out to fight with him against Philistine oppression. The Lord also blessed him with a series of victories that made him popular with all the tribes of Israel. Among his many admirers was the boy David, who became Saul's greatest asset and potential rival. 

In their relationship the tragedy began. They were close like a father and son, like a mentor and protégé, until the handsome youth won the charming glances of all the darling girls. At that point Saul had an uncomfortable presentiment and David saw his future unfolding. The shepherd would be king. And Saul would die without a royal heir. His jealous resentment and suspicion of David only made matters worse as he turned to necromancy to discover his impending defeat and death. 

Saul was, nonetheless, the anointed king; and David, a devout worshiper of God, was wise enough to honor that anointing. On one occasion when he might have rid himself of Saul's hectoring, even as his soldier stood ready to slay the king, David refused. "He is the Lord's Anointed!" David's piety eventually rewarded him: he died of old age in a royal bed, surrounded by friends and admirers. Not many kings have enjoyed that luxury. 

To this day, the Catholic Church honors the dignity of anointed ones. Where the scriptures speak of anointing priests, prophets, and kings, the Church retains the anointing of priests and bishops. (Popes were known to anoint medieval kings and emperors but the world has apparently moved beyond that.)

This anointing is given to the elect, but not to those elected by a democratic process. Rather, we devoutly hope they are chosen by God, and recognized through prayer and discernment. As the Letter to the Hebrews says, 

No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you;" just as he says in another place: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Candidates for the priesthood may feel a calling but that doesn't mean they should be ordained. That responsibility belongs to the whole church. Every devout Catholic should look for tomorrow's priests among the young men in their families and churches. Recognizing such people, they should suggest it to them. The suggestion may come like a bolt from the blue but later prove to be prophetic. The mustard seed may become in time the largest of plants. 

As we reflect on anointing and priesthood, we should remember David's reverence for Saul. As men, they were personal enemies, rivals for leadership of the Hebrews, but they opposed the Philistines together. If Saul refused to recognize David's anointing by Samuel, David never lost his reverence for Saul's anointing. 

The Catholic Church reveres its priests and bishops despite the tragedy of unworthy men in those offices. This reverence is an essential dimension of our faith. As president of the Eucharistic Assembly, the priest presents the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ to the Church. As teacher (Latin: magister), the bishop guards the Magisterium  -- the disciplines and teachings -- of the Church. Without these divinely elected leaders the faithful lose their way and the Gospel is forgotten. 

The anointing of our bishops and priests have continued in unbroken succession since God the Holy Spirit descended on the seventy-two disciples at Pentecost. This sacrament of Holy Orders signals the undiminished presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is with us. Always.