Daily Readings - Sun Jan 14 2024

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

Chapter 6

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

Chapter 1

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

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.