For many generations, the people of ancient Israel had been led by a confederation of tribes. However, God brought forth leaders, priests, and prophets throughout Israel's history to lead his people. The tribes were supposed to help and protect each other, but often times they were too weak or too disorganized to be effective. Many of the books of the Old Testament show the failures that happened to the people of Israel because of their lack of unity and trust.
In our first reading today, the people approach Samuel, wanting a king for their nation after seeing the other nations around them prosper and gain military victories under the leadership of kings. However, Samuel responds to the people that they already have a king, that they simply need to be more faithful to the king that they already have. But, to the people, having God as their king is not good enough; they want more, they want what their neighbors have.
Isn't that so much a part of our human nature today as well? Often, what we have isn't good enough for us. So many in our society and in our world today envy the prosperity, success, and material goods of their neighbor. Samuel tells the people of Israel what it will cost them when they make things other than God their king. The same is true for us today. The people of Israel refuse to listen to Samuel. For us as well, if we do not listen to God, there will be a price to pay.
In the midst of our suffering, our afflictions, and our infirmities, we come to the Lord for healing and wholeness out of our humility and our love for God. We ask God to enter our hearts and our lives in the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.
The psalmist tells us in Psalm 89 that we are blessed if we walk in the light of the Lord, if we rejoice in God's name & if we exalt in his justice. May we truly follow in our hearts this road of faith that the Lord has put before us.
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