Have you ever had a dream where you heard a telephone ring or a person calling your name? It’s something that happens in my family, at least among the guys—who ironically are also the hardest to wake up!
Today’s experience of Samuel hearing his name called is no dream—and it takes the wisdom of Eli to unlock this mystery. Sometimes, we think we hear God’s call, but we don’t understand; other times, we perceive a call but don’t go to God because we are so used to another way of thinking about life.
Samuel is serving God under the supervision of Eli. However, as we have heard, Eli’s eyes have grown so weak that he can barely see. This is a metaphor that is understood by the following part of the verse, “… a revelation of the Lord was uncommon and vision infrequent.” Eli’s relationship with God is not as it was and should be.
Listening and Watching
So how do we perceive God—how is our spiritual vision and hearing today? Are we listening and watching with faith for God’s presence and guidance in our lives?
If you are looking for hope, it is found in the verse regarding Eli, “The lamp of God was not yet extinguished …” We have proof of this as Eli, with his faith and God’s grace, was able to properly advise Samuel.
Eli first told Samuel to go back to sleep. I love that advice. Beyond the beauty of getting a good night’s sleep, it shows a trust that God will call Samuel again. And this time, instead of going to Eli, Samuel is to speak directly to God—saying the words, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” That’s always the right answer to the call!
Responding to God's Call
As predicted by Eli, the Lord called and revealed His presence to Samuel, and Samuel responded as each of us is called to do with faith, trust, and willingness to listen and to follow God’s instructions.
As I reflected on this dynamic of God calling to each of us and our awareness and response, I realized that God has called me in big and little matters of life as I am sure he has done for each of you. He has called me in hospitals and classrooms, when stuck in traffic, and sitting at my desk writing homilies and emails. He has called when I least expected, and also at times when it made sense during prayer or the celebration of Mass.
My brothers and sisters, God calls each of us, every day; let us be like Samuel, ready and willing to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
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