The story of God calling Samuel by name is almost magical. There’s a wonderful picture of the boy lying asleep in the dark, behind the sanctuary, where only one light remains glowing. He’s awakened three times by a mysterious voice calling him by name. In no way does Samuel suspect that the Lord is calling him—after all he is just a boy, a mere servant of the old priest Eli. It is Eli who makes it clear that the voice he is hearing is the voice of God and directs him how to reply. With the straightforward simplicity of a child, Samuel springs to his feet in unquestioning obedience and total willingness to serve: ‘Speak Lord, your servant is listening.’
The story of Samuel is our story too. He stands for all of us – people of no significance, the small print of life. We may not be important in the eyes of society but none of us is ever ignored by God. We are always in his mind and forever under his care. God is constantly calling us into a relationship with him in the circumstances of life we find ourselves in. When we were baptised our ears were symbolically opened to hear his call. In the noisy ranting world in which we live, there is a danger of God’s voice being drowned out and not heard. That’s why it is important to have a quiet and peaceful corner to develop pockets of silence, where we can be alone to listen to the voice of God, calling us and directing us along his pathway. God can only speak to a person who is listening. We tend to talk too much and listen too little.
The gospel speaks to us about the call of Andrew and how the disciples stood and stared as Christ passed by. Christ is forever passing by and his invitation is straightforward and open-ended. He’s constantly asking us what we want out of life. If we wish to discover where he lives, he throws his life open for inspection under many different disguises. He invites us to come and see him, homeless and hungry sleeping on pavements and under doorways in the wet and cold. ‘Come and see me lying in hospital beds dying of cancer or with some incurable disease.’
God’s call is an on-going affair and often reaches us through the plight of a neighbour. It takes courage to open our hearts and answer that call. Sacrifices will have to be made and a comfortable lifestyle disturbed. If we are to be the people God wants us to be and to do the job he intends us to do, we must give ourselves willingly to Jesus who has already given himself to us. Openness to others combined with real sensitivity to their needs and a willingness to share our time and material goods, are essential qualities for us to develop if we are to share fully in Christ’s vocation. ‘Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.’
Fr. Jojo Eloja
