Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sleep is one of our most natural and yet most necessary functions. We all need restful sleep for our physical and mental health but also for our spiritual well-being. The first two are pretty obvious. But have you ever noticed in the bible how many times God uses sleep and dreams to communicate important messages? Awakening from sleep is the time of action and understanding.
We have the wonderful story of the call of Samuel in today’s first reading. The young Samuel had his sleep interrupted three times and finally, with the help of his mentor, Eli, he came to realize that it was God calling him to service.
This call to service upon awakening may be a worthwhile reflection for all of us. When we wake up, not only from physical sleep but even from a kind of spiritual sleepwalking, God may be calling us to something very important. Who around us may be hurting and needing our full attention right now? They may not need our hands, but they do need our eyes open and alert to provide compassion and understanding.
Is this what St. Paul is getting at in the second reading? He reminds us that our bodies are truly holy and precious because Jesus chose to take on our humanity as a sign of his total love for us. The way we use and respect our body reflects our awareness that Jesus is calling us to holiness and maturity in order to reach out to people who need us.
Perhaps a great example of our need to be alert and ready is found in today’s Gospel. It’s really a series of suggestions easily ignored had it not been for alert curiosity, and of course God’s plan. John the Baptist was standing with two of his disciples and pointed out Jesus by simply saying: “Behold the Lamb of God.” The remark could have passed over their heads, but the Gospel tells us they heard it. It awakened their curiosity, it moved them out of their comfort zone. At first, they could only walk behind Jesus silently. Jesus had to turn and ask the first question: “What are you looking for?” They could have retreated to their comfort zone, but notice how they side-stepped the penetrating question by first asking: “Teacher, where are you staying?” Jesus simply said: “Come, and you will see!” They did, and as the saying goes: “the rest is history!”
Some reflection questions:
- How is the Lord calling you to rise from your slumber of denial?
- How can you be more alert in using your sense of compassion for others?
- What would you do if the Lord turned to you and asked, “What are you looking for?”
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections