Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
In our readings today, I notice three elements of our Christian life, three necessary ingredients to following Christ – seeking the Lord’s presence, listening to God’s voice, and giving God a ready and willing heart, offering Him a “generous Yes” in readiness to do His will. Let us approach God’s Word today with sincere hearts and a humble desire to make these holy postures our own.
Our first reading tells us that at that time, visions and revelations from God were infrequent. Eli, an elderly priest with responsibilities in the Temple, was asleep. We’re also told his eyes had grown week. In the preceding chapter of 1 Samuel, we’re told that Eli’s two sons had fallen into grave sinfulness and wickedness. All of this information seems symbolic to me of a lack of spiritual fervor, of complacency perhaps, of neglecting the faith – even failing to pass it on to the next generation. It seems that Eli, a priestly leader for God’s people, had lost his love for the Lord’s presence, forfeited his ability to see and hear God, and had grown lukewarm in his obedience.
Contrast Eli’s behavior with the boy, Samuel. Samuel slept in the Temple near the Ark of God, the most powerful symbol of God’s presence. He intentionally sought the Lord’s presence, so much so that even while sleeping he was “awake.” During this season of infrequent epiphanies, the Lord comes to Samuel and calls his name. After several such summons, Eli finally “wakes up” and realizes it’s God calling to the boy. He instructs Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’”
Our Psalm response makes this bold declaration, “Here am I, Lord; I Come to Do Your Will.” Within the verses, we find these compelling claims, “Sacrifice or oblation you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me . . . To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!”
Seeking God’s presence, receptivity to God, ears open to hear His voice, a willing heart to respond in obedience to the call and will of God . . . Let us pause for a moment in this reflection and examine our consciences, our hearts, our minds, and our wills. Where do we find ourselves at this moment in time in terms of these aspects of a life ordered to God? I might ask myself, am I more like Eli or like Samuel?
In our Gospel, we read this account from Jesus’ life, “Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, ‘Everyone is looking for you’.” Jesus himself sought quiet places of solitude where He could be in the Father’s presence. Jesus listened to the voice of his Father so that He could be obedient to God’s will. Jesus continues, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come. So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.” In God’s presence, receptive to the Father’s voice, Jesus discerned His purpose, His mission for that moment in time and stepped out in bold obedience that yielded miraculous results.
Archbishop Schnurr has given us a prayer for vocations, which begins, “Almighty Father, You have created for us some definite purpose. Grant us the grace to know the path You have planned for us in this life and to respond with a generous ‘Yes.’ Make our archdiocese, parishes, homes and hearts fruitful ground for Your gift of vocations . . .” God created you and me for some definite purpose – what a glorious truth! As we practice being in God’s presence and becoming more receptive to God’s voice, more awake to His presence within us, we are better able to hear and know the Father’s will for us and to live our vocation faithfully.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a practical first step that we could each take, along with more frequent reception of the Eucharist, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As this new year begins, perhaps we could each commit to going to Adoration at least once a month, more often if possible. Fr. Josh Johnson has said, “Adoration leads to imitation.” As we come closer to Jesus, we are able to declare more authentically, “Here am I, Lord; I Come to Do Your Will; I give you my ‘generous Yes.’” Whatever our vocation in life – ordained priest, consecrated religious, permanent Deacon, one called to a chaste single life, or a husband or wife – may we, today, commit to discerning God’s will and purpose for our lives, and to live our vocation in love with generosity and joy. Thanks be to the One who created and calls us to share in His mission to be love and light for the world! Amen!