We finally reach the point in the first reading when Samuel is charged with replacing Saul, with David. The reading today tells us of his anointing and how from that day on, the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David. Depite being filled with the Spirit of God, David will go on to commit a number of grave sins including adultery, and murder. And yet, Jews, Christians, and Moslems continue to think of him as a great king.
This may in part be due to the fact that he did not have 24 news channels ginning up anger, and running the video all day long. More to the point it is because history recognizes the constant struggle of human life, and the good a person does is not erased by sin.
Each of us had that same Spirit rush on us the day of our baptism, but there still remains our free will, and temptations we face to make choices that run opposite to the will of God, being filled with the Holy Spirit does not shield us from our own free will. This is why daily prayer becomes so critical in our lives. We must maintain our conscious connection to that presence of God given to us. We must constantly quiet ourselves and listen.
The second Vatican council reminded us of the "Universal Call to Holliness" in the document Lumen Gentium. We can be saints, but only with the daily help of God.
