SATURDAY: HOMILY FOR 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
THEME: The “Here I am”
BY: Fr. Justus
(a) Samuel answered, “Here I am Lord” This depicts availability, this means presence, this means that one is not lost; the ability to be located. We recall the first question ever ask man: “Adam where are you?” He could not say, “Here I am Lord”. This question depicts someone looked for; someone who has lost his place.
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(b) Jesus the second Adam could be located, His presence is not wanting. When the disciples asked Him,- Lord, where do you stay? He replied, “come and see”. We can see His dwelling place- our bodies. Our bodies are even His Temples. There He is located. A call to watch and care for the body and to keep it holy. There is more urgent need in our time for the answer “Here I am” each time we are called, our presence is not to be looked for in the family and community. We are called to be present and be there for one another. Be there for your family and your fellow. Our good actions should depict; the “Here I am”. I am not missing. The first characteristic of every created human being is “presence” and “availability”, “to be the there”, the “Dasein” – “, “being there” as Martin Heidegger explains.
(c) Samuel was directed to say, “speak Lord, your servant is listening”. It is interesting to learn that the Scripture did not detail us immediately what the Lord said to Samuel after his readiness to LISTEN. This is to accentuate the power of giving a listening ear. To listen is the first command, as Christ said, “listen o Israel”. We are called to be there and to offer ears to people. Listening to someone in his plight is a big therapy even when one could not remedy the situation. Listen! Many have been wrongly condemned because no one listened to them. Many have taken there lives because they feel no one is ever there for them and no one listens to their pains. Here I am Lord, speak your servant is listening.
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