In today's first reading, we hear about how, after the death of King Ahaziah, his mother Athaliah seized power and attempted to secure her throne by exterminating the entire royal family. However, the infant Joash, a rightful heir of David's line, was secretly rescued by his aunt Jehosheba and hidden in the Temple for six years under the protection of the priest Jehoiada. In the seventh year, Jehoiada revealed Joash to the military leaders and crowned and anointed him king in the Temple. And the people joyfully proclaimed him king. Imagine, my brothers and sisters, a seven-year-old king.