Daily Readings - Sun Jan 14 2024
1 Samuel
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.
1 Corinthians
13Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.15Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
John
35Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!37And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.38Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?39He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.40One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter three distinct yet interconnected narratives that guide us on a journey of faith, purity, and discipleship. The first reading from 1 Samuel illustrates Samuel's call by God, highlighting the importance of discernment and responsiveness. Samuel, though initially unaware, learns to recognize God's voice through Eli's guidance, demonstrating that listening to God requires openness and mentorship. This story reminds us that God's call can come in unexpected ways, and our willingness to listen is crucial.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians emphasizes the sanctity of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Paul urges us to avoid immorality, reminding us that our bodies are not our own but belong to God. This call to purity is not just about avoiding sin but about honoring God in every aspect of our lives. It challenges us to reflect on how our actions align with our commitment to follow Christ, ensuring that our lives are a testament to His presence within us.
The Gospel from John recounts the initial disciples' encounter with Jesus, where they respond to His invitation to "come and see." This simple yet profound invitation leads to a transformative experience, as seen in Andrew's eagerness to share the Good News with his brother Peter. Jesus' renaming of Peter symbolizes the new identity and purpose that come from following Him. This narrative underscores the importance of invitation and the transformative power of discipleship.
These readings collectively invite us to embrace a life of attentiveness, purity, and active faith. By listening to God's call, honoring our bodies as His temples, and responding to Jesus' invitation, we embark on a journey of transformation. May we, like Samuel, Peter, and the first disciples, be open to God's voice, live with integrity, and joyfully share the Gospel with others, allowing His presence to shape our lives and actions.