Word to the Wise
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 - Wednesday in the 1st Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Sam 3:1-10, 19-20 and Mark 1:29-39]"Speak, for your servant is listening." [1 Samuel]
It appears that neither Samuel nor Eli got much sleep in the story in today's first scripture. The words I have quoted above come at the end of the story. Both Samuel, who was growing up in the temple, and Eli, an old priest serving in the temple, engage in a process of discernment about the voice that Samuel was hearing! Finally, Eli figures out that Samuel was hearing God's voice, and he gave Samuel the advice in the quote! It is good advice, but getting to that point was not easy for either Samuel or Eli!
"Discernment" seems to be a popular spiritual process nowadays although it has been around a long time, as the Old Testament scripture for today indicates. In campus ministry, one may often hear from a student that he or she or one of their peers is "discerning!" This usually means a possible call to ordained service as a priest or member of a religious congregation, although it could easily apply to any decision about a future career in health care, education, engineering, law, etc. or even marriage as well!
Most of the "discernment" literature I see in campus ministry centers, however, focuses on priesthood or religious life. I have had and continue to have conversations about that "call" with students. When I do, I can recall the difficult process I went through as a college student that resulted in my entering the Dominican Order more than 60 years ago!! It was not a voice in the night but an idea that interrupted my own plans for my future and wouldn't leave me alone until I did something about it. The quiet encouragement of a wise Dominican friar in New Orleans played a big role. He did not tell me what to do but his example was attractive! In today's story, Eli had to be wise and Samuel had to be open and generous. It is rarely easy but the result can be a healthy decision that benefits everyone! AMEN
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