The reading from Samuel is a good example of the strife that results when new times demand new institutions. The tribal structure of Israel had a hard time defending the people, the territory, and the charismatic religious leadership against better-organized neighboring peoples. They too, would need more centralized structures and institutions. But some would hardly
Among the Jews, the Ark of the Covenant was the sign of God’s presence. This is why as the people moved, the ark moved with them. God was where his people were. Also in their clashes with the Philistines, they wanted God to be on their side for their Jihad, their holy war, but they
Today’s first reading tells us the beautiful story of Samuel’s vocation. He is the man attentive to the signs of God’s presence, hearing the inaudible, seeing the invisible, where others do not hear or see anything. He is in contact with God, just as Jesus withdrew to a lonely place to pray. We hear God
Extraordinary vocations are, at times, described in the bible in terms of barrenness, which, through prayer and faith in God’s power, produces life. It underlines God’s gratuitous grace, God’s power and also the difficulty, the struggle of faith, to lead to redemption. Samuel, then became the fruit of prayer and faith in God’s power. Gospel.
A word about the books of Samuel. After the confused times of the settlement in Palestine comes a more stable era with the kings. This period is important because the very vague “salvation” described earlier, – a land of their own for the Hebrews, their growth as a people – turns now into messianism on
Greeting Today, Jesus was baptised in the Jordan; The Father recognized him as his beloved Son; The Holy Spirit prepared him for his mission of service. May the Lord’s Spirit of sonship and service be always with you. R/ And also with you. Introduction by the Celebrant Today, on the feast of the Lord’s baptism,
In a profession of faith, the apostle John sums up his letter. We belong to God on account of Jesus Christ. He has brought us eternal life; this life does not tolerate sin, because we live in him, and he hears our prayers. John the Baptist bears the same witness: we belong to Christ as
What John says in his letter about faith in Jesus is exemplified in the gospel. Faith consists in believing in Jesus Christ, “who came by water and blood”; when he was baptised in the waters of the Jordan, he was proclaimed Son of God; by shedding his blood on the cross, he accomplished his mission.
Speaking in the synagogue of Nazareth, Jesus says that God’s word is fulfilled today, that he proclaims and is the good news of joy to everyone. Similarly, Jesus proclaims to us today in our Eucharistic assemblies the good news of God’s liberating love, and he is himself that good news, for he is present among
The weekdays of the Christmas-Epiphany season continue day after day to confront us with the person of Jesus. This child and our brother is God, and yet, this Son of God is fully human. This man Jesus manifests his divine power – in today’s gospel, by walking on the waters of the lake, with water
