Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
The first reading continues yesterday’s story. But Samuel is now approaching adulthood. He lives in the Shiloh temple and is being trained by the elderly priest Eli. The text states that “a revelation of the Lord was uncommon and vision infrequent.” We can expect that this is going to change.
One night, Samuel hears a voice calling his name: “Samuel!” He thinks that Eli is calling for help. He rushes to his side and expresses his willingness to help. Eli tells him to go back to sleep; he hadn’t called him. After this happens two more times, Eli realizes that it was the Lord calling the young man. He gives him instructions on how to respond.
Sure enough. The Lord calls again. Samuel responds, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” From now on, he will respond to the Lord’s calling and share God’s words with the people. That is what a servant of the Lord and an accredited prophet does.
What is the lesson for us? God speaks to us in many ways. This can be through a respected person or through some event in our lives. Our response should imitate Samuel. We should say, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Listening to God is the basis of the spiritual life. The first word in Saint Benedict’s Rule is: “Listen.” We are to accept God’s instructions with the ear of our heart, welcome them and faithfully put them into practice (cf. Rule of St. Benedict, Prologue 1).
Reflection by Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections