For to the Lord belongs our shield, and to the Holy One of Israel, our King. // Psalm 89:18

Reaching over, I guide my two-year-old’s hand in making the Sign of the Cross after he exuberantly dunked his hand into the holy water font. At this age, teaching is primarily hands-on as I show him what we do when in church and attending Holy Mass. Folding hands, listening for the sanctus bells, genuflecting. However, it’s not only physically what our bodies are doing, but the significance behind each gesture.

This is the fifth child I’m walking through these motions, and I’ve found myself whispering to him alongside each action things like, “This helps us remember our Baptism,” and “When we kneel, we show Jesus reverence.” And as he carefully attempts to balance upon one shaky knee, “Genuflecting reminds us Who our King is and how we owe Him our allegiance and honor.” Big words for a little man, but ones full of meaning.

In today’s First Reading (see 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a), the people of Israel are begging for an earthly king to rule over them, and God has His prophet Samuel lay down a lengthy warning of what will follow: their sons being assigned to run in front of the king’s chariot, their daughters being taken for his cooks, livestock taken as tithe. 

In modern times our “kings” take on a different form: our jobs, our demanding schedules, our goals and desires, and even our callings have the temptation to take an overarching position in our lives. God allows us the freedom in choosing our king but with the consequence of being subject to it. When we instead place these “kings” in their rightful place under the True King, offering Him our allegiance first and foremost, all else falls in line.  

When you next go through the motions at Mass, take a moment to orient your mind and heart to who your King is and what you owe Him. Make your actions reflect your heart’s allegiance.