January 17, 2004, Memorial of St. Anthony, Abbott.

A reading from the first book of Samuel.

David spoke to Saul.

Let your majesty not lose courage.

I am at your service to go and fight this Philistine.

But Saul answered David,

You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth,

while he has been a warrior from his youth. David continued,

The Lord who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear will also keep me safe from the clutches of this Philistine.

Saul answered David,

Go, the Lord will be with you.

Then, staff in hand,

David selected five smooth stones from the wadi

and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's bag.

With his sling also ready to hand, he approached the Philistine.

With his shield-bearer marching before him, the Philistine also advanced closer and closer to David.

When he had sized David up and seeing that he was youthful and ruddy and handsome in appearance,

the Philistine held David in contempt. The Philistine said to David,

Am I a dog that you come against me with a staff? Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods and said to him,

Come here to me, and I will leave your flesh for the birds of the air and the beasts of the

field. David answered him, you come against me with sword and spear and scimitar,

but I come against you in the name of the Lord of hosts,

...