Here is part of our Old Testament reading, from 1 Samuel: ‘And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down till he comes here.” And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah’.

Here David is made king; he who is the source of our Psalms, which in our monastic liturgy we recite in a fortnightly cycle. They are the bedrock of our liturgical prayer along with the Sacraments, particularly the Eucharist.

So we give great thanks for David, whose path was not straightforward, and yet was blessed by God. May God bless you this day and keep you in His love.