First Reading

Reading from the first book of Samuel

1 Samuel 16:1-13

In those days, the Lord said to Samuel: “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him and he will no longer reign over Israel. Go to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem, for I have chosen a king from among his sons. Fill your horn with oil to anoint him, and go.”

But Samuel replied, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” The Lord answered, “Take a heifer with you and say: ‘I have come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. Then anoint the one I point out to you.”

Samuel did as the Lord had commanded him. When he arrived in Bethlehem, the elders of the city came out to meet him, trembling, and asked, “Do you come in peace?” He answered, “Yes. I have come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He also purified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they came before him, upon seeing Eliab, Jesse’s eldest son, Samuel thought, “Surely this is the one the Lord will anoint as king.” But the Lord said to him, “Do not judge by appearances or by height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not see as man sees; men judge by appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.”

Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Thus, seven of Jesse’s sons passed before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” He asked Jesse, “Are these all your sons?” He replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to him, “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he comes here.” Jesse sent for him.

The boy was ruddy, with bright eyes and a handsome appearance. Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Rise and anoint him, for this is the one.” Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. From that day forward, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David. Samuel then returned to Ramah.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Mark

Mark 2:23-28

One Sabbath, as Jesus was passing through the grainfields, his disciples began to pluck the ears of grain. The Pharisees said to him, “Why are your disciples doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”

He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God in the time of the high priest Abiathar and ate the bread of offering, which only the priests may lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions.”

Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”