The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20
Psalm 40:2 and 5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10
Mark 1:29-39

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today we hear the story of how the young Samuel is called by the Lord to serve Him. Samuel misunderstands the call, thinking Eli is calling him and it is not until the third time that Eli realized what is happening and makes it clear to Samuel how to respond. Scripture is full of many instances where the Lord calls people to do His work and serve Him. The reactions of those called are as unique as those who are called. Moses approached the burning bush in curiosity. Jonah fled as far away as he could possibly go. Peter and Andrew gave up their careers to become fishermen of a completely different catch.

One must wonder how many times we are called by the Lord and mistake the call for something other than what it is. Or perhaps we understand it completely but run as Jonah did. Some of us may take the way of Peter and leave and immediately answer the call. Samuel was fortunate: he had Eli, a man in tune with the Lord to guide him. I once knew a man who spent most of his life in the legal profession only to change what he was doing suddenly to serve the rest of his career in service of the poor. "It was only after finding a spiritual advisor, he told me, "that I realized my true calling, due to the help of my advisor and friend." Finding an "Eli" is good advice for us today. Many of us should seek out a spiritual advisor to guide us and help us interpret what we're hearing from the Lord. This may be a priest, a deacon or other learned and holy person. It worked for my friend and it worked for Samuel.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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