Today’s readings correct a mistake we make very easily.

We look at what is obvious.
God looks at what is true.

That is why today’s readings fit so well with the life of
Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi —
not only a saint of the wider Church,
but one who lived and died here in our own diocese,
at Mount St Bernard Abbey.

This is not distant holiness.
This is close to home.

In the first reading, Samuel is sent to anoint a king.

He sees Jesse’s sons one by one —
strong, confident, impressive.

Each time, God says no.

And then comes the line that cuts through everything:

“Man looks at appearances,
but the Lord looks at the heart.”

David is not obvious.
He is not present.
He is working outside.

But God sees what others overlook.

God does not choose by strength, confidence, or reputation.
He chooses by fidelity of heart.

The Gospel shows the same misunderstanding.

The Pharisees see the disciples picking grain on the Sabbath
and immediately accuse them.

They see behaviour.
They miss the person.

Jesus responds by placing Himself at the centre:

“The Son of Man is master of the Sabbath.”

He is not relaxing the law.
He is revealing its purpose.

The law exists to lead us to God —
not to replace Him.

When rules become more important than relationship,
religion becomes heavy and lifeless.

Blessed Cyprian Tansi lived this truth quietly.

He was a parish priest in Nigeria —
faithful, prayerful, trusted by his people.

But later, he felt a deeper call.

He left everything familiar
and came here —
to Mount St Bernard Abbey.

He crossed cultures, climate, language, and expectations
to live a hidden monastic life of prayer, obedience, and sacrifice.

No applause.
No recognition.
No prominence.

Just fidelity.

God looked at his heart —
and that was enough.

This matters for us.

Because Blessed Cyprian’s holiness is not abstract.

He prayed in this land.
He walked these grounds.
He struggled with illness here.
He died here.

His sanctity was formed
in ordinary obedience,
daily prayer,
and quiet perseverance.

He reminds us that holiness does not require visibility —
only faithfulness.

God does not need us to be impressive.
He asks us to be true.

Placed together, today’s readings ask us something direct.

What are we relying on?

Appearance —
or obedience?

Religious activity —
or a heart shaped by Christ?

It is possible to do many religious things
and still resist conversion.

But God sees the heart.

And He chooses from there.

Jesus is not abolishing the Sabbath.

He is restoring its centre.

The Sabbath exists for man
because man exists for God.

Everything — law, worship, discipline —
finds its meaning in Christ.

When Christ is central,
faith gives life.

When He is sidelined,
religion becomes burden.

David was chosen
because God saw his heart.

The disciples were defended
because they belonged to Christ.

Blessed Cyprian Tansi became holy
because he remained faithful
in hiddenness —
even here, among us.

God still looks at the heart.

Not at how impressive we seem.
Not at how visible our faith is.

But at whether we truly belong to Him.