Stay Royal

A Reflection on the First Reading for Sunday, November 23rd, 2025:
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

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2 Samuel
5.1-3

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, “Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: ‘It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.’”

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.

Pause. Reflect. Pray.

I confess, I’m a royal watcher – mostly because of Catherine Middleton’s wardrobe and tiara collection! That probably doesn’t qualify me as a monarchist, but because the Catholic Church ends its liturgical year with a monarchic bang, I’m happy to reflect on God’s kingship with this week’s first reading. 

Long before the tribes of Israel anointed David as King, the Israelites asked Samuel to petition God for a King “like all the other nations”, who would fight their battles for them. God, however, did not want to give them a worldly ruler, but rather one of His choosing. In fact, He took their request as a rejection of His own kingship and protection over the Israelites. Nonetheless, after warning Israel of the consequences of worldly rule, God acquiesced, and King Saul was anointed. 

We know the main difference between David and Saul was that David was “a man after God’s own heart”, repentant in error and seeking the Lord. Saul, on the other hand, while fitting the part of a strong and capable leader by the world’s standards, struggled with accepting his sins and returning humbly to the Lord for wisdom.

Reading about David’s anointing today reminded me that God so patiently and generously makes room for us to return to doing things the best way – His way. Hearing the tribes of Israel finally accepting and anointing God’s choice for kingship encourages me that God offers me the same opportunity. 

It also prompted me to consider on the following:

Do I allow God to be the King of my heart, or do I self-anoint? I am not to make myself the ruler of my own life, for the Lord promises to protect and care for me better than any other, including myself. Jesus is, after all, the King of the Universe!

Further, I once listened to a royal commentary that encouraged its listeners, in modern day terms, to “stay royal”. This catch all phrase was meant to remind its audience to strive for higher things – those thoughts and actions that are a step above. But we know even the best worldly ideals are not enough to always rise above ourselves or the challenges we face.

If by baptism I am a daughter of the King, what does it mean for me to embrace my own “royal inheritance”? My heavenly heritage originates from the truth that I am loved by Love itself. Social standing (and tiaras!) aside, this truth grounds me as I take on the adventure of pursuing goodness and becoming like my Creator, the one in whose image I am designed. To embody the best of myself, or to “stay royal”, is to live as a child of the True King – similar to David – like one after God’s own heart.




Michelynne Gomez

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