Wednesday of Week 1 – 1 Sam 3:1-10,19-20; Ps 39:2,5,7-10; Mark 1:29-39

I heard . . .. “The Lord then came and stood by, calling as he had done before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Samuel answered, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ Samuel grew up and the Lord was with him and let no word of his fall to the ground.”

And I thought that if only a person would listen to God they will become wise. This is because they cease weighing up things in human terms and are penetrated by God and become far-sighted.

But then I was curious about the eight verses which have been excised from this reading of 1 Samuel 3. And I read of the terrible prophecy Samuel heard from God about kin of his guardian Eli. And the poignant reply of Eli when he learns the news: “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes”.

Yesterday we saw Hannah asking God for a son. And today we see Samuel listening to God and so becoming wise. But we also see Eli, who when faced with God’s irrevocable judgement, adopts an attitude of resignation and trusting in God. Different attitudes – but each of them is probably worth following in various situations.

Those words of the psalm ring true for me, Lord. However, I’m not thinking about counting days but about listening to You. So, I ask You to teach me to open my ears so that I can hear Your word and gain wisdom. Because I know that whenever I try to look at things through Your eyes in prayer it becomes simpler and easier. Therefore, teach me to listen. Without prepared excuses, without well-practised responses at the back of my mind. Let Your word shape me . . . .