How do we answer our Lord when He calls us?
Reflections on the readings for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time (January 17, 2021): 1 SM 3:3-10,19; PS 40:2,4,7-8,8-9,10; 1 COR 6:13-15,17-20; JN 1:35-42
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
We must allow our Lord to use us to point the way of Christ to those around us.
Both the Old Testament and the Gospel today offer wonderful moments in the lives of people who are called by God to do His will. We hear in the first reading about the boy Samuel who would grow up to be a great judge and prophet for the Jewish people. His mother Hannah, who had long been childless, prayed for God’s help and promised that if she had a son he would be dedicated to God’s service. Here we find that he has been entrusted to the care of the priest Eli. One night, the Lord calls the boy three times in his sleep. Not understanding and thinking that his mentor is crying out to him, Samuel keeps waking Eli. Finally, Eli realizes that it is God Himself who is calling the boy, and tells him how to answer. “When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the Lord came and revealed His presence, calling out as before, ‘Samuel, Samuel!’ Samuel answered, ‘Speak for Your servant is listening’” (1 Samuel 3:9-10).
In the Gospel reading, two of John the Baptist’s disciples, who are clearly open to God’s call, turn to the Lamb of God when John points Him out. Jesus spends time with them and they readily follow Him. As with Samuel, these disciples were willing to do what God asked because they were, in some way, attuned to Him. They were seekers ready to serve. And that is what each of us must be. We, too, have to be willing to answer God’s call, replying, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening!” Whether He is revealing to us something as important as our state in life or our livelihood, or someone who needs our attention and help today, we have to listen and respond. More than that, we must allow our Lord to use us to point the way of Christ to those around us. Eli and John the Baptist helped others on their way to serve the Lord. God gave us our mind, our senses, our whole being. Let us put ourselves completely in His hands and thank Him for His loving guidance.
Suggested missionary action: Let us take time to contemplate how God has called us to serve Him. We can ask His counsel in saying and doing whatever He wants from us – today and every day of life He gives us.