Homily: First Wednesday of Ordinary Time
First Wednesday of Ordinary Time (2022) Sm. 3:1-10, 19-20; “When the Lord Calls, Have I Answered?”
Call stories are an important part of scripture. We can reflect on many of them. We remember, for example, the call of Moses at the burning bush in the book of Exodus (Chapter 3). Moses is asked to lead the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt and into the promised land.
We also remember the call of Matthew the Apostle which will be the Gospel for Saturday’s Mass (Mk 2:13-17). Matthew was a tax collector, and he was called away from his post by Jesus. He left a lucrative career and lived with Gospel simplicity.
No call story is as touching as the call of Samuel to be a profit. Samuel was a youth who was serving the Lord at the sanctuary at Shiloh. The Lord spoke directly to him. Was it a dream? It is hard to tell.
How much stock should we put in dreams? Most of us have them. Sometimes dreams are disturbing. Other times they are pleasurable. When we dream as we sleep usually there is a release of things that are in the unconscious.
Some dreams are recurring dreams. Often type A people have dreams about something that they should have finished but have not. I often have a dream about being in college. I have forgotten to go to a class all semester and suddenly, I realize it at finals time. I am greatly disturbed that I will flunk the class and not graduate.
Usually, our dreams point to something that seems unfinished in our life or a relationship that we need to address. Spiritual insight can be gained from a dream.
God spoke to St. Joseph in a dream when he asked him to be the foster father of Jesus. The Lord also spoke to Samuel asking him to undertake the ministry of prophet. Samuel cooperated with the call of God and unselfishly gave himself over to the Lord’s service. His yes to God had a great impact on salvation history. What would happen in our life when we try to cooperate with Lord’s plan?
Reflection Questions:
- Do I have a recurring dream? What could that dream mean?
- Samuel addressed the Lord. He said, “Speak Lord for your servant is listening.” Do I say that to the Lord?
Dear Parishioners,
I was called to one of the nursing homes to administer the Anointing of the Sick to someone yesterday. The retirement homes are once again locked down because of COVID, but they will let priests in to anoint the sick. If you have someone who needs to be anointed do not hesitate to call our office or the emergency number and I will go to give the sick person sacraments. We can’t make routine visits, but we can minister to the dying.
Debbie Patronagio is now working in our office as doing secretarial work part time. She continues to be our Director of Religious Education. She will be on campus most of the day, Monday-Thursday. Please congratulate her when you see her on her new responsibilities.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark