1st Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 10th January 2024 – 1 Sam 3,1-10.19-20; Mark 1,29-39
Need to Attune
In the first reading, we hear about God’s calling of Samuel as a prophet. As a young boy, Samuel was serving the priest Eli in the sanctuary at Shiloh. Although he was living in the temple of the Lord and ministering to the Lord, yet Samuel was not attuned fully to God. It was only after the fourth call that Samuel was able to answer, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” He was doing religious things, yet he had not developed a deep relationship with the Lord. It was only with the guidance of Eli that Samuel realized that God was speaking to him. Now the Lord reveals his presence, but what the Lord said to him at that time is not recorded. It was not a dream because the voice awakened Samuel. Nor was it a vision, since Samuel heard but did not see Yahweh. However, from the very first revelation, Samuel is consecrated a prophet. The Lord was with Samuel from then on and he was a true and reliable prophet who faithfully transmitted the word of the Lord.
