Word to the Wise
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 - Wednesday in the 1st Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Sam 3:1-10, 19-20 and Mark 1:29-39]'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening....'
The Bible has many "call" stories. In the Old Testament, the "calls" of Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Samuel (today's example) stand out. In the New Testament, the "call" of Mary and the apostles Peter, James and John, and the dramatic "call" of St. Paul come readily to mind. God takes the initiative and "calls" a person to service! In most cases, the one being called protests that they are too young or inarticulate or unworthy. God still calls them.
In today's first scripture, the call of Samuel seems to be more one of discernment. Although his mentor, Eli, would eventually hear some very unpleasant things from young Samuel, he (Eli) encourages Samuel to be open to the call he is hearing. He tells Samuel to respond, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Samuel does as he is instructed and when Eli insists on hearing what God has said to Samuel, Eli learns of disaster about to fall on his sons and house!!!! It can be risky to ask a prophet for a word or two! As the passage concludes, we are told that God was with Samuel, "not permitting any word of his to be without effect."
Out of all of this, I do want to call attention to the importance of the mentor here. Eli's own children were corrupt, but Eli was wise enough to recognize that Samuel was being "called" by God, and encouraged Samuel's response. This is a role that is offered to many. Those who go into various professions, including the priesthood or religious life, speak of the influence of a mentor who saw certain talents and abilities. I returned to law school after ordination largely because some Dominican friars, also lawyers, encouraged my interest and suggested I do this! If we recognize the possible call to serve God's people in someone we know, we can do a great thing by encouraging it! AMEN
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