The Anointed One of God.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, today’s readings draw us into the mystery of anointing—what it means to be chosen by God, filled with His Spirit, and sent for His purpose. In the first reading, Samuel goes to Bethlehem with a horn of oil. He sees Jesse’s sons, one after another—strong, impressive, tall. And each time, the Lord says, “Not this one.” Then comes the youngest, David, still smelling of sheep and fields. No résumé. No title. No status. Yet God says, “There—anoint him, for this is the one.” And Scripture tells us: “From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David.” Anointing is not about outward appearance. It is about the heart. People look at size, success, and position. God looks at availability, humility, and faithfulness. David is anointed not because he is already perfect, but because he is open to God’s Spirit. The oil is a sign of God’s choice; the Spirit is the power that makes the choice effective. And in the Gospel, Jesus reveals Himself as the true and final Anointed One—the Messiah. The word Messiah literally means “the Anointed.” When Jesus says, “The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath,” He is declaring that He carries divine authority—not to burden people with rules, but to bring life, mercy, and freedom. The Pharisees saw law. Jesus saw hungry people. The Pharisees saw violation. Jesus saw human need. The Anointed One of God always uses power to heal, restore, and serve—not to dominate. Now here is the beautiful part for us: Through Baptism and Confirmation, you and I are also anointed. The same Spirit that rushed upon David has been poured into our hearts. You are not just churchgoers—you are consecrated people. Marked with oil. Claimed by God. Sent on mission. You are anointed: to bring light where there is confusion • to bring peace where there is tension • to bring mercy where there is judgment • to bring hope where there is despair. The question is not, “Has God anointed me?” The real question is, “Am I living like someone who has been anointed?” David was anointed in the presence of his brothers, but his real anointing showed later—in courage, repentance, worship, and trust in God. So today, the Lord is asking each of us: Will you let the Spirit shape your heart? Will you let God’s anointing move you from comfort to compassion, from routine to mission, from fear to faith? As we come to the altar, we encounter Jesus—the Anointed One—who gives Himself to us in the Eucharist. May He renew the oil of His Spirit within us, so that like David, and with Jesus, we may live as truly anointed servants of God. Amen.