Daily Readings - Wed Jan 12 2022
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 the essence of listening to and responding to God's call. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of the young Samuel, who, while serving in the temple under the guidance of Eli, experiences a series of divine calls. Initially, Samuel mistakes the voice of God for Eli, but with Eli's wisdom, he learns to recognize and respond to the Lord's voice. This marks the beginning of Samuel's journey as a prophet, emphasizing the theme of humility and openness to God's will.
The Gospel reading from Mark presents Jesus in the midst of His ministry, demonstrating His divine power through healing and exorcisms. After healing Peter's mother-in-law, Jesus continues His mission, preaching in neighboring towns and villages. This passage highlights Jesus' dedication to His Father's will, showing that His ministry is not confined to a single place but is a continuous journey of service and proclamation.
Both readings underscore the importance of discernment and response to God's call. Samuel's story teaches us the value of humility and attentiveness, while Jesus' ministry illustrates the commitment required to fulfill God's plan. In our daily lives, we are called to listen for God's voice, whether through prayer, scripture, or the circumstances around us. Like Samuel, we may need guidance to discern God's will, and like Jesus, we must be willing to act with courage and trust. Let us strive to cultivate a deep listening heart, ready to respond faithfully to God's invitations, trusting in His plan for our lives.