[ Today's Readings ]
Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him,
not permitting any word of his to be without effect.
As impressive as this is, it is certainly even more true of Jesus.
His word cures Simon's mother and law and "many who were sick with various diseases". He even "drove out many demons" by the power of that word.
But there is something which precedes this in both of them.
Samuel spends time alone in the presence of the LORD.
The lamp of God was not yet extinguished,
and Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD
where the ark of God was.
And so does Jesus.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
The words of Jesus are effective because he knows the voice of his Father. Samuel's words become effective when he learns to recognize the Father's voice (and not without other human help).
Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.
So Eli said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,
‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’”
When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the LORD came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
When we recognize the voice of the Father we are able to speak with power because we speak with his own words. The words of Jesus are never without effect because all that he says, is, and does is from the Father. He himself is the Father's word. We are invited to listen for this word so that we can conform ourselves to it more and more. We are invited to hear it and then respond "Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will." Yet we know that we can't make this response on our own as completely as we should. Fortunately, Jesus makes his own obedience available to us by grace.
Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
He makes his own life present in us. And since the life is the word which is spoken by the Father our individual words gain power as he does so. We become able to proclaim mercy, healing, and freedom. We become able to proclaim justice in the vast assembly with unrestrained lips.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
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