January 17, 2021. Homily for the Second Week in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Readings: 1 Sam. 3:31-10, 19; 1 Cor. 6:13-15, 17-20; Jn. 1:35-42

Listening to the Lord Through Others

1.     We read about the call of Samuel in the first reading this morning. To understand why Samuel was sleeping in the Temple, we must read the first book of Samuel. Hannah, the mother of Samuel prayed for a child and made this promise: “O Lord of hosts, if you look with pity on the misery of your handmaid, if you remember me and do not forget me, if you give your handmaid a male child, I will give him to the Lord for as long as he lives.” (1Sam. 1:11). After the birth of Samuel, Hannah, according to her promise, brought the child to Eli, the priest and said, “Pardon, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request. Now I, in turn give him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord.” (1Sam. 1:26-28). While Samuel was ministering in the temple, he was called by the Lord. But “At that time Samuel was not familiar with the Lord, because the Lord had not revealed anything to him as yet.” (1Sam. 3:7). Someone had to teach him to recognize the voice of the Lord. “Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the youth. So, he said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.’”

2.     Eli was a high priest who had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who also were ministering to the Lord as priests. We are told that Eli’s sons were wicked; “They had respect neither for the Lord nor for the priest’s duties toward the people.” (1Sam. 2:12-17). Eli, their father, warned them against their misdeeds “But they disregarded their father’s warning. Meanwhile, young Samuel was growing in stature and in worth in the estimation of the Lord and of men.” (1Sam. 2:22-26). Did Eli fail as a parent? He could not control his children. People whispered, grumbled and gossiped behind his back. In spite of Eli’s sadness, tears and pleas, his children did not listen to him. Does this sound familiar? How many of you have prayed for your children to join you in church? How many of you have warned your children against their way of life but they would not listen? How many of you have become grandparents by force because your children would not pay attention to your parental guidance? Many of our children have wandered from the path you traced for them. They have allowed society to shape their perception of life rather than the moral imperative that molded the life of their parents. Our selfishness and pride have dictated to us who we should listen to rather than God. Our choices and our quest for material things have turned our attention away from God and all that is good. We have become a god unto ourselves and so prayer, bible, and church matters are mere distractions to our way of life. How can we be rescued from this life of recklessness and doom?

3.     Our readings today give us reasons to be hopeful. There is silver lining in our broken world. There are Samuels out there who will listen to the word of God and allow the Word to form their conscience and keep their feet in the path of righteousness. Therefore, when God wants to speak, he will always look for those who would listen to him in order to carry out his mission. Samuel was a great prophet because Eli, the failed parent of Hophni and Phinehas, opened his mind and spirit to the Lord. He may have failed with his sons, but he did not give up. He taught Samuel how to recognize the voice of God. Our God is a God of a second chance and will always look for our own good in every situation. We can show others the way even if we are not successful ourselves. We can be a teacher, a guide, a counselor, a mentor, a prayer partner, a confidant and a fellow pilgrim to others on life’s journey. We may be more effective to others due to our experiences and our wounds. Though we may have failed in the past, we may become wounded healers to others. Like William Bausch reminds us, “We can teach others to hear when the Lord is calling, even if we missed it the first time around ourselves.”

4.     The Gospel presents us with John as he directed two of his disciples to Jesus, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Jesus is the sacrificial lamb who died “to gather into one the dispersed children of God.” (Jn.11:51-52). He is the one we are to listen to. He is the way, the truth and the life, no one can go to God except through him (Jn. 14:6). John the Baptist pointed the way to Jesus, and Jesus brings us to God. Eli made it possible for Samuel to recognize the voice of God. Andrew found Peter, his brother, after his encounter with Jesus and told him, “We have found the Messiah.” Then he brought him to Jesus. We must be a conduit to bring others to God. We can point people to the right path, even if we are not the best in what we do. We are wounded healers who will not and should not allow our wounds to keep us from helping others. But to be a mentor, a life coach, a guide and a witness to the truth, we must learn to listen to Jesus. Like Samuel, we must be humble enough to say “Speak Lord, your servant is listening. May we be men and women who point the way to Jesus. Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP