I suspect if I asked most people, “Who is the King?” the answer might well come back “Elvis.” There is just part of us that lives in a pop-culture world. Besides, we Americans aren’t too keen on kings. After all, we fought a Revolutionary War to rid ourselves of English monarchs. Of course, we remain fascinated by them. Just look at the television ratings for royal weddings. But kings are a prominent feature of the Old Testament, e.g. 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, and 2 Chronicles. But hen we look back into the pages of salvation history the great names are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the 12 sons of Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Ruth, Judith – none of them are kings.  Today’s first reading answers the question: how did Israel get a king?   Here is how it all came about. Continue reading →