R./ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. Ps 40:8a and 9a

“Here I Am Lord!” —Samuel

“Come and you will see.”—Jesus

GOD IS CALLING

Are you listening? Samuel doesn’t understand who is calling him. He keeps going to Eli, the priest. He thinks the priest is calling him and waking him up. Eli finally realizes that it’s God calling Samuel! Eli tells him to answer, “speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” Samuel grew up and the Lord was with him. Samuel made sure that whatever the Lord said, he listened! In the Gospel from John, John the Baptist is standing with two disciples and says, “Behold (look!), the Lamb of God.” The disciples HEARD what he said. Jesus asks, “What are you looking for?” They ask the “Rabbi” (teacher), where are you staying?”

Jesus responds, “Come, and you will see.” And they went. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother was one of the two disciples. He finds his brother and tells him “We have found the Messiah.” They brought Simon to Jesus and he names him Cephas, or Peter! Whenever we encounter or meet God, it changes us. In either story, the people need to be listening, and then acting. We are called. We need to follow, listen and learn.  How is God the Father or Jesus calling you today? Put yourself in Samuel or Andrew’s place. Imagine your response!

It seems so simple. It always does! Why don’t I get it? Like Samuel, there are times that I don’t recognize God’s voice. Even if I’m trying to pay attention, I can miss it. It’s like I’m asleep! Samuel is very smart though. He goes to the closest person who is closest to God! Find the people around you that can help you find God. You will be like Samuel, Andrew and Simon Peter. You will be like the wise men that followed the star to find Jesus, the new king. They learned and watched the stars, waiting for the star to appear in the sky. Today, you and I are the stars that can lead others to Jesus and peace. Sometimes with words and sometimes we just act or serve so that others can see the love of God made real.

Happy new year! What is your new year’s resolution? What version of you will others see this year? Make good choices! And keep listening! 1/14/24

These two Mass Readings can be found at www.usccb.org