I am working my way through scripture passages recommended in Hearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits by Michael Harter, SJ for those participating in the first week of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola.

The Lord Appears to Samuel      1 Samuel 3:1-10

Thinking through the passage

The Lord may be more or less active at any particular time. Allow that God may be on a different schedule than the routine you want.

Samuel wanted to be close to the Lord, so close that he slept in the sanctuary in the presence of a sacred symbol.

Maybe Eli was supposed to be sleeping in the sanctuary. Maybe Eli had grown tired and retired to the comfort of his room, leaving Samuel as his proxy.

The Lord called to Samuel in such words and manner that the boy mistook God for his master Eli.

Samuel did not recognize the Lord at first, but God kept calling to him.

Eli recognized that the Lord was calling Samuel before Samuel did. Sometimes a soul friend can discern our calling before we do. But even Eli required being roused from sleep three times before he understood that the Lord was at work.

Samuel went back to bed after Eli told him to reply to the Lord the next time he called. I wonder if he slept or lay on his pallet in wonder.

The Lord spoke simple words, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Samuel replied in simple words, “Speak; your servant is listening.”

Praying the Lord’s appearance to Samuel

Lord, I still hear the story of Samuel’s call as if I am a boy at the beginning of life, but I know I have things in common with old Eli…

I am sorry for the ways in which I have grown tired and retired to the comfort of my room.

Help me to stay open to whatever you think best. Don’t let me decide I can’t when you know I can.

Lord, please call me plainly, whether I am waiting in your sanctuary, or wandering far from home.

Call me repeatedly, Lord, until I say yes to you.

Call me repeatedly until I recognize your voice or until those around me hear your voice and help me to understand, you are talking to me.

Lord, give me the grace to respond fully to your call.

Amen.

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