Our first reading for today’s liturgy is a beautiful example of what took place when God called Samuel. Samuel is asleep in the temple. Hearing his name called and thinking it was Eli, he rises and goes to him. This happens three times, when Eli realizes what is happening. He tells Samuel that God is calling and to listen to what God is saying to him. The story continues and we realize that God, too, calls each of us by name. Do we understand how important it is to listen for the voice of God and what God wishes to say to us?
In the gospel we see two of John the Baptist’s disciples with him. When John sees Jesus passing by, he points the way for his disciples to leave him and move on to follow Jesus. A personal contact is made when Jesus turns and asks them, “What are you looking for?” The answer comes in the form of another question; “Where are you staying?” When we read that the disciples went and stayed with Jesus, can we not experience the same?
This leads us to become part of the story. What are we looking for in Jesus and what can happen when the answer is, “Come and see.” In other words, come and spend time with Jesus. Stay and carry on a conversation with Jesus in prayer. Meet with him; spend time with him. Other questions we might think about: Who is it that points us in the direction of Jesus? Can you, too, point others in the same way? -Sister Beth Hays
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