Reflection for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time…Jan 14, 2024

by Associate Phyllis Chandler

“Speak, for your servant is listening.”  – I Samuel:10

Our Scripture readings for this Sunday focus on God’s call, first in the book of Samuel and then in the gospel of John as Jesus invites Peter and the first disciples to follow him.

Samuel repeatedly hears God calling him but thinks it is Eli, the high priest at the temple.  After several such incidents, Eli realizes that it is God who is calling Samuel.  It is then that Eli advises Samuel to respond by saying, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

In the gospel reading, the early apostles respond to Jesus’ invitation, “Follow me” and begin the remarkable journey of being his closest companions from that point until his death on the cross – and beyond.

Are we open to the call to follow God like Samuel and these early disciples?  Our response may not be as life-changing as these examples from Scripture, but we are all called to follow the path Jesus created for us in our journey to eternal life.

This coming week, as we reflect on the Sunday readings, let us pray that we will be open to the invitation to listen – closely – and then respond as Samuel and the early disciples did.