I have found David, my servant. — Psalm 89:21

Mass Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 / Mark 2:23-28 

More Than Skin-Deep 

Beauty contests are a familiar phenomenon — from extravagant worldwide contests to humbler local competitions. Typically, judges make their decision based on factors such as height, figure, complexion, bearing, and so on. 

In today’s first reading, the prophet Samuel acted as judge in quite a different kind of contest. Seven of Jesse’s sons were lined up, and Samuel’s task was to anoint one of them as the next king of Israel. Samuel allowed typical “beauty contest” criteria to influence his judgment, but God soon set him right: “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” It’s commonly said “beauty is only skin-deep” but beauty, in God’s eyes, goes beyond the skin, extending to the heart. When God looks at my heart, what does He see? 

Prayer: Author of Beauty, help me to grow in inner beauty of heart and character.