david as the fat ... 4th week friday

For two weeks now we have been reading the life of King David.  Now in our first reading we hear about him for the last time.  Departing for a while from the so called historical books of Samuel and Kings we read from the book of Sirach – a poetic eulogy for David.

Here the author recalls his life summarizing it as the fat of the sacred offerings.  The fat is considered the best part of an animal.  So when an animal is sacrificed in the temple the flesh which is offered on the altar is divided between the offerer and the priest, but the fat is the Lord's, the best part is always given to the Lord and burnt on the altar.

By referring to David as the fat of the sacred offerings the author is telling us that he is special, he is set apart or separated because he is the Lord's.

Thus the life of David shows that he is the Lord's.  He slayed the giant Goliath with the slingshot, he led the Israelites to battle, he made the festivals of God beautiful and solemn, he loved God and sung him praises (David was a beautiful singer), and not only that, he composed beautiful hymns to God and set singers before the altar – probably forming an outstanding choir.  And even when he sinned against God he was forgiven by the Lord and exalted his strength forever.  David indeed is the fat, he is specially guided by God, extraordinarily blessed and loved by God.  And he was always especially conscious that it was the Lord who made it possible for him to achieve all these things.

As you go out for the vocation campaign always be conscious of what God has done and continues to do in you.  Share this with the people you meet.  Share to the people how you have been blessed, share with them the many times you slew giants that prevent you from becoming what God wants you to become, share the many times you feel you have been extraordinarily blessed and loved by God; share God's constant care and guidance; share God's mercy who is quick to forgive our faults and failure.  But above all like David praise God, not yourself, praise him in the liturgy in your daily prayers.  Remember that you are the fat of the sacrifice, you are the Lord's own portion not for anything but because like David you are willing to offer your life in the service of the Lord and his people.  May God be always with you as he has always been with David.