Fr. Frank Majka, SJ – The Bridge

I’m Listening!

A few Sundays ago many Christian congregations heard the story of young Samuel. He heard a voice calling him in his sleep and ran to the man he had thought was calling him, Eli the priest. Eli told him he hadn’t called but that if the voice came again, Samuel should respond, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” It did come again, and Samuel did what Eli said, whereupon God called Samuel to do an important task that would change the future of Eli’s house and eventually all Israel. (First Samuel 3)

Centuries later, Saint Paul dreamed that a man from Macedonia was calling to him saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16) Paul accepted that call to take his preaching from Asia Minor to the Gentiles in Greece, and because he did so, the whole history of the spread of Christianity changed dramatically.

These incidents teach us two things. First of all, they show that God can call us anytime, not just when we are awake or expecting it. Our being asleep or doing other things does not block God’s calls to us. They come whenever and however God wants. In fact, I think we should expect God to call us often.

Secondly, when he calls, God normally asks something of us. His calls can often make demands on us or change us in ways we did not anticipate. Furthermore, the calls that come to us are also meant to be gifts for others. They are the way God continues to create his ever-changing world.

So, if we believe that God continues to call us and that we are meant to respond to these calls, why not take some time to recall when God has called us, noticing how we and others are different — and better — because we listened and answered.