Daily Readings - Wed Jan 15 2020
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
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our response to His call. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of the young Samuel, who, while serving in the temple, hears God's voice. Initially unsure, Samuel learns to recognize and respond faithfully, marking the beginning of his prophetic journey. The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus, who, after healing Peter's mother-in-law, dedicates the evening to healing many and rises early to pray, demonstrating His commitment to His divine mission.
Both readings highlight the theme of responding to God's call with faith and dedication. Samuel's story illustrates the importance of discernment and obedience, as he transitions from uncertainty to confident service. Similarly, Jesus' actions in Mark show His unwavering commitment to His mission, balancing compassionate service with prayerful reflection. These narratives remind us that God's call can come in various forms, requiring us to be attentive and responsive.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to cultivate a listening heart, open to God's voice. Like Samuel, we may face moments of uncertainty, but through prayer and discernment, we can grow in faith. Jesus' example teaches us the value of compassion and the necessity of prayer in staying focused on our mission. As we navigate our own callings, may we embrace God's plan with trust and serve others with love, remembering that our response to God's call is both a privilege and a responsibility. Let us strive to be attentive, faithful, and compassionate, walking in the footsteps of Samuel and Jesus.