Beauty Before Age

16:11 Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here."

16:12 He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; for this is the one."

Thus enters Prince Charming.

I remember reading something once about how God loved David so much because he was beautiful and could sing so well!

There is no question that some people are particularly adore-able for their gifts and talents, that they break through our barriers or habits or expectations over who ought to come first. This is on my mind as we weigh experience vs. inspiration in the current political campaign.  If we were to weigh life experience most heavily, McCain, longtime legislator and former POW, would win. If we were to weigh intelligence and strong-mindedness, perhaps we would elect Senator Clinton. But many, many people are enamored of the candidate who has "beautiful eyes," whose talk of hope sounds like music to our ears.

David, of course, proved to be beautiful but flawed. I find this to be a great relief, that God so loved this broken person with his failings of impulse and ego.

I'm wondering why this passage fits with the gospel lesson for the week. I guess it is the identification of God's chosen one, despite his not fitting the expectations of the patriarchal structure. David is the youngest son; Jesus violates the Sabbath law.

"Rise and anoint him; for this is the one."