In today's first reading, 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a, the people ask
Samuel to appoint them a king to rule over them, like other countries have.
Samuel is upset at their request and goes to the Lord to complain about
it. God says to Samuel: "Grant the people's every request. It is
not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king." Samuel
warns the people that a king has the right to "take your sons and assign them to his chariots and horses, and they
will run before his chariot. He will also appoint from among them his
commanders of groups of a thousand and of a hundred soldiers. He will set them
to do his plowing and his harvesting and to make his implements of war and the
equipment of his chariots. He will use your daughters...He will take the best
of your fields, vineyard, and olive groves, and give them to his officials. He
will tithe your crops and your vineyards, and give the revenue to his eunuchs
and his slaves," and much, much more! The people still insist on
having it their way!
God lets the people choose their will over
His, as He does to this day. How often
do we not reject an authority figure, not realizing that the difficult time
that we give someone in authority is actually a rebellion against God as our
Ruler, our King! Moreover, how many persons absolutely reject the advice
and ignore the warning of their parents, grandparents and other adult family
members, church leaders, community leaders and get involved in things that will
lead to their own slavery, to their own downfall and misery beyond all telling!
Lord, forgive me for the times I reject Your authority over me
that is revealed to me by persons in leadership of any kind. Forgive me for the
times that I let pride guide me and insist on doing things that are ultimately
not for my good or for the good of others affected by my decisions. Have mercy on me when I insist on my way and reject Yours!
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