Daily Readings - Sun Jan 17 2021
1 Samuel
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. Samuel answered, "Here I am."5And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.6Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me.My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.8The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy.9So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.10The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."19The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground.
1 Corinthians
13"Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"--but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.14By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!17But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
John
35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.36When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"37When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.38Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"39"Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.40Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.41The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ).42And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter ).
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of listening, responding to God’s call, and living as temples of the Holy Spirit. In the first reading, we hear the story of Samuel, a young boy who learns to recognize the voice of the Lord. Despite his initial confusion and the patience of Eli, Samuel comes to understand that God is speaking to him. This passage reminds us that God calls each of us, often in unexpected ways, and that we must cultivate the humility and openness to hear His voice.
In the second reading, St. Paul emphasizes the dignity of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. He warns against using our bodies for sin, particularly fornication, because such actions harm not only our own bodies but also the Body of Christ. This teaching calls us to live with self-control and reverence for the gift of our bodies, remembering that we belong to God and are called to glorify Him in all we do.
The Gospel continues this theme of response and discipleship. John the Baptist points his disciples to Jesus, and they follow Him. When Jesus asks them what they are seeking, they respond with curiosity and openness, leading to an invitation to “come and see.” Andrew, in turn, brings his brother Peter to Jesus, who gives him a new name, signaling a new identity and mission. This passage reminds us that following Christ is not a solitary journey but one that draws others into the life of faith. Today, let us ask ourselves: Am I truly listening to God’s call? Am I living in a way that honors the Holy Spirit dwelling within me? And am I inviting others to encounter the Messiah, as Andrew did? May we respond to God’s call with faith, live with integrity as temples of the Holy Spirit, and share the joy of knowing Christ with others.