Homily Second
Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B: Fr. Michael Ufok Udoekpo
·
1 Samuel 3:3b-10,
19;· Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10;
· 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20
· John 1:35-42
Speak Lord, Your
Servant Is Listening!
Today we
live in a very noisy and pluralistic society. Noise from fireworks,
violence, religious extremists, alarms, sirens, loud music, trumpets, car
horns, sports whistles, cell phones, Tvs, Radios, gun fires, bomb blasts,
thunders and wild winds, baby cries, sounds from animals and birds etc., plus
people yelling/shouting at each other, wars and threats of wars, such that
listening or paying attention in our various locations of life, is becoming
increasingly important today, especially in matters that has to do with our
relationship with God, who calls us reveals himself to us in different forms,
especially in the poor, the rich, men, women and children.
In scripture
readings today, especially in the first reading (1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19), and in
the Gospel (John 1:35-42), the familiar call stories of Samuel and that of the
Disciples of Christ: Andrew, Peter, etc., are presented, respectively. Each of
these stories though delights of many preachers, are meant to remind us, among
other things, that even though God initiates his calling us to different stages
of life, he expects us to respond with love and devotion. But, we cannot
respond to what we have not heard. And how can we hear unless we listen, unless
we remain focus, and resist those distractions!
In the first
reading, Samuel is called do what many of Israel’s judges and the sons of Eli
had failed to do. To carry the banner of love and keep the torch of the
covenant-promise which the Lord had established with the house Israel. As a
prophet Samuel would anoint the initial Kings of Israel. In hearing God’s voice
he not only took counsel from Eli, but carefully and obediently responded, on
the 3rd instance, as instructed. He said “speak,
for your servant is listening.” This might have well reminds us of Deuteronomy 4,
where Israel as a whole is called to listen, shamah Yisrael. In the case
of Samuel he responds with a participle expression “listening” ([mv) adds to the force of his readiness and
docility, also found in the voice of today’s psalmist, “here I am Lord I come
to do your will” (Ps 40). Mary, our Mother, said the same when visited by the
angel Gabriel: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me as you
will” (Luke 1:38), heard during Christmas!
But today, recognizing Jesus in the Gospel
account, John the Baptist said, “Behold the lamb of God” (John 1, 29,
35-42), as we do at every Mass. Interestingly, “the two disciples heard what he
said and followed Jesus.” As Disciples of Christ God has called each of us in
different ways, vocations and states of life: priests, religious, laity,
celibate and in marriage to be missionary disciples. Many are also blessed in
various areas of industries, socio-political and economic powers. In these
callings, they are equally called to love, share their blessings with others,
especially with the poor, the sick, the aged, the voiceless, immigrants, and the
marginalized of the society.
Not being indifferent to the plight of the poor is
form of listening to what God expects of us today, has increasingly become the
center of focus by Pope Francis in his recent preaching and teachings. We saw and heard this in his 2015 New Year
message of Peace, “that we are no Longer slaves, but brothers and sister.” Similar
messages were heard in 2016 and 2017. In 2018 he reiterates and re-emphasizes on “Migrants
and Refugees: Men and Women in Search of Peace.” Our calling and how we respond
to Christ must be inviting to others, migrants, refugees: women, men, children,
the poor and the needy in search of peace!
Let us pray that,
in spite of the “noise,” the “distractions,” the “pluralism of ideologies,” the
“sirens” that blow in all forms, we may like Samuel and the initial disciples
of Jesus, of today’s Gospel, listen to his divine calling, and be ready
to follow the “Lamb of God,” or say, in our lives and actions, “speak,
Lord your servant is listening”!
1. What does today’s
scripture say to us?
2. Do we listen to
ourselves, the voice of the Holy Spirit in or good neighbors, counsellors,
mentors, pastors, teachers, and spiritual directors?
3. What about
listening to the plights of the migrants, refugees and the poor, and even of
the members of our faith communities?
