Daily Readings - Wed Jan 15 2020

1 Samuel

1And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.2And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;3And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;4That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.5And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.6And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.8And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.9Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.10And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.19And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.20And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

Mark

29And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.30But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.31And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.32And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.33And all the city was gathered together at the door.34And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.35And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.36And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.37And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.38And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.39And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

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.