Jesus Calls Each of Us by Name for a Mission

01-14-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Anthony Okolo, C.S.Sp, V.F.

The call of Samuel, in the first reading, demonstrates how God calls each of us individually. Just like Samuel who was unaware of God’s call at the beginning, we too may be unaware when God is calling us but with patience, steadfastness, focus, and an open heart we can recognize His voice in our lives. Just as Eli pointed out to Samuel that it was God calling him so too, we can recognize God’s voice when we pay attention and listen to our parents, teachers, priests and those God has placed to look after us.

As He called Samuel by name for a particular purpose so also God calls each of us by name for a certain mission and purpose, He wants us to do. Samuel responded with “speak your servant is listening” when he realized it was God calling him. How am I open to hear God’s voice and how ready and disposed am I to do God’s work He may be calling me for? How can I make myself available to say with confidence like Samuel, “Speak Lord your servant is listening”?

In the second reading, Paul reminds us that we are temples of the Holy Spirit and as such we should maintain the sacredness of our body since we are created in the image and likeness of God. The sacredness of the body begins with the purity of mind and heart. This can be done through controlling what we read, see and hear. We are created in the image of God and therefore God lives in us and since God is Holy and lives in us, we should treat our bodies with dignity and respect for our bodies are a place of God’s abode. In the Gospel, the disciples of John the Baptist leave him for Jesus when John points Jesus to them as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

John the Baptist points to Jesus as the Lamb of God, demonstrates that Jesus is not only consecrated and set apart for a divine mission but also that Jesus’ life will end in sacrifice to save others. It was this declaration by John that made the apostles respond with urgency in following Jesus. We are also reminded of the urgency to embrace Jesus’ call as an important aspect of our life as Christians. Upon leaving John, the disciples wanted to know where Jesus stays, and Jesus simply told them to come and see. It means come and experience for yourself who I am. Come and see for yourself. Thus, instead of the apostles going to see the place, they went and stayed with Him.

The invitation to come and see, given by Jesus, is the same as saying discover who I am by yourself. Jesus is inviting each one of us to discover whom He is by a personal experience and encounter. This personal encounter comes from spending quality time with Jesus in prayer, visiting the Blessed Sacrament and reading the scriptures. This would require the steps of seeking, staying, finding and dialoguing with Jesus who is the Lamb of God.

The encounter in the Gospel teaches us that people who would come to know Jesus ought to share the testimony of their encounter of Jesus with other people. It is by sharing this experience that we can bring people closer to Jesus as Andrew did. Therefore, let us be convinced and committed in sharing the testimony of our faith with others because in so doing we listen to Jesus’ command “Go therefore and make disciples of nations.” Mt 28:19.

Fr. Tony Okolo C.S.Sp., V.F.