To the upright I will show the saving power of God. — Psalm 50:23

Mass Readings: 1 Samuel 15:16-23 / Mark 2:18-22

Obedience First

When Samuel anointed Saul as Israel’s first king, he declared, “There is none like him among all the people.” How, then, did Saul fall from favor? Not falling headlong though outright defiance, but sliding slowly down a slippery slope because of his compromises and less-than-wholehearted obedience.

God had told Saul to utterly destroy Amalek (1 Sam 15:3) and today’s first reading shows Saul second-guessing Him. Because it was not for personal gain, but for sacrifice, that Saul saved the choicest livestock, Samuel insists, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” Despite all our knowledge, learning, and good intentions, do we humbly accept that we are finite, limited beings, whose Creator really does know best?

Prayer: Holy God, help me always give You my complete and uncompromising obedience.