Daily Readings - Wed Jan 10 2018
1 Samuel
1Now the young man Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.2At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place.3The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.4Then the LORD called Samuel, and he said, "Here I am!"5and ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call; lie down again." So he went and lay down.6And the LORD called again, "Samuel!" and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son; lie down again."7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.8And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the young man.9Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.10And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant hears."19And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.20And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD.
Mark
29And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.30Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.31And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.32That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.33And the whole city was gathered together at the door.34And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.35And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.36And Simon and those who were with him searched for him,37and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you."38And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out."39And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of listening, faith, and mission. In the first reading from 1 Samuel, we encounter the young Samuel, who is called by the Lord while serving in the temple. Despite his initial confusion and the guidance of Eli, Samuel learns to recognize the voice of God and responds with openness and humility. This passage reminds us that God can speak to us in unexpected ways, even when we are young or inexperienced. Samuel’s willingness to listen and obey sets him on a path of faithfulness that will shape his life and the history of Israel.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus embarking on his mission of healing and preaching. After healing Peter’s mother-in-law, Jesus spends the evening tending to the sick and casting out demons, demonstrating his compassion and power. The next morning, instead of staying in a place where he is celebrated, Jesus chooses to move on, explaining that he must preach to others. This passage highlights Jesus’ focus on his divine mission and his commitment to serving those in need. Like Samuel, Jesus listens to the Father’s will and acts with purpose, showing us that faith is not static but active and oriented toward serving others.
These readings challenge us to examine our own lives. Are we like Samuel, open to hearing God’s voice, even when it comes unexpectedly? Or are we like the people in the Gospel, seeking Jesus for our own needs but perhaps hesitant to follow him on his mission? The moral lesson here is clear: faith is not just about believing; it is about responding. Like Samuel, we must say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening,” and then act with courage and humility. Like Jesus, we must be willing to move beyond our comfort zones to share God’s love and light with others. May we, too, grow in faith and fidelity, allowing God’s call to shape our lives and guide our actions.