March 10th, 2004.

Fourth Sunday of Lent, scrutiny, Year A readings.

A reading from the first book of Samuel.

The Lord said to Samuel,

Fill your horn with oil and be on your way.

I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,

for I have chosen my king from among his sons. As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Iliab and thought,

surely the Lord's anointed is here before him. But the Lord said to Samuel, do not judge from his appearance or from

his lofty stature because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the

appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart. In the same way, Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel,

but Samuel said to Jesse,

the Lord has not chosen any one of these.

Then Samuel asked Jesse,

Are these all the sons you have?

Jesse replied,

There is still the youngest who is tending the sheep.

Samuel said to Jesse, send for him.

We will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.

Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.

He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance.

The Lord said,

There, anoint him, for this is the one.

...