Throughout this week, our first reading at Mass comes from the first and second book of Samuel and tells the story of Saul and David. Today, our first reading presents the reason for Saul’s rejection as king, centering on obedience. Saul had received a command from the Lord, but instead of following it closely, he took certain liberties, falling into disobedience. As king of Israel, Saul was to model obedience for the people, but he does not. This teaching on obedience is the point of the story, not that God willed the destruction of the Amalekites, since we know that God wills everyone to be saved (cf. 1 Tim 2:4).
Jesus, however, is the true king of Israel and the perfect Son of the Father, obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Phil 2:8). But Jesus also shows that such obedience to God is not a slavish and mechanical practice, but one that gives life: Jesus describes himself in the Gospel as the bridegroom, and the Spirit whom he shares — who teaches obedience — as a new wine far better than the wine of old (cf. John 2).
Today, then, let us contemplate the obedience of Jesus that gives life to the world and renews humanity. And let us ask him to pour the new wine of his Spirit into our hearts, to make us faithful children of the Father.