Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 14 January 2024
First Reading: First Samuel 3: 3b-10, 19
Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (8-9)
As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. (19)
In this remarkable story, God reveals himself to Samuel the boy. Eli, being the wise and devout teacher, instructs the boy to say the appropriate words. Today, are we being called and are we able to discern the Lord’s voice? In the cacophony of this life on earth, we might find it difficult to hear God! But God does not leave us yet, he sends us the Eli’s after his heart! Yet it is a strange situation sometimes when some of our so-called ‘Teachers’ send out mixed messages! We look for clear instructions like what Eli directed Samuel to do; again we might not find them!
It is then that we go deep within ourselves, in the quiet of our day to seek true wisdom from the one and only person who can guide our souls. That person is the Holy Spirit, ever-present in us, around us, and with us. We know we have the Holy Third Person of God within us because we have been baptized through him into new life. We are not as faithful as Eli or Samuel, but we must try! Christ Jesus gifted us mortals, the life of grace through his Holy Spirit! (John 16:7) Let us take courage and dive deep into the recesses of our clouded souls and unearth the light that HE planted in us long ago. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 40: 2, 4, 7-10
He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. (2)
I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. (10)
We must testify and proclaim God’s work in our lives at all times.
Amen, Alleluia!
Second Reading: First Corinthians 6: 13c-15a, 17-20
Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? (18-19)
Fornication is defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2353) as: “a carnal union between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman.” Many will not teach/preach this truth to our culture today. We see many such unions and worse taking place around us. Therefore, to remain popular, these topics are evaded.
But if we are to lead lives in the Holy Spirit, we must see and say things as clearly as they are! If we lack the courage today, we will be accountable at the last judgment. Unless we don’t believe in the last judgment and the second coming of Christ Jesus!!
In Jesus name, Amen.
Gospel: John 1: 35-42
The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. (35-37)
As a reflection of Eli of old, John the Baptist directed Andrew and one of his other disciples to Jesus as the Messiah. Peter followed his brother and found his purpose in life! What about the other disciple of John the Baptist? Did he lose his way? Did he not ‘see’ the Messiah? Could we be the ones as hard-hearted as that unknown disciple? Do we see and hear the Lord in front of us and then lose sight of him? Is it our ego, pride, or cowardice that blinds or deafens us? Do we still think we are His disciples?
If we are humble enough to go within ourselves and answer these questions for ourselves, we will know the Truth. When we know the Truth, we will proclaim it.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
