Short answer? The priest (deacon, or Bishop) kisses the Lectionary following the proclamation of the Gospel because it is specified in the rubrics so to do. The rubrics specify this as he has just proclaimed the Word of God. And, as we all know, the Word of God, is Jesus Christ, Himself.
Kiss
Yes, Samuel was a prophet and a judge in the Bible, but he was not a priest.
Yes, Samuel was a prophet and judge in the Bible, but he was not a high priest.
The first priest mentioned in the Bible is Melchizedek, who appears in the book of Genesis.
Samuel was both a priest and a prophet in the Bible.
The priest
The word "priest" is in the King James Version of the Bible 506 times. It is in 442 verses.
Readings (by the priest) form the bible, sermons (by the priest) about what the bible says and, in the catholic church, iconography and art showing the bible stories pictorially.
You only do that to a Bishop or Pope.
SAMUEL
High Priest
Obadiah did not speak in the bible, No one made the bible but the Priest of the church.