If Samuel lived in today’s world, people might start to think that he was going crazy. We would probably not admit in public that we are hearing someone calling our name when no other physical presence is nearby. And yet, the voice he heard was so real to him that he approached the only other person there with him. Fortunately, the man Samuel approached was wise enough to help him realize that God was calling him.
We are all Christians because we are followers of Jesus Christ. Whereas all Christians are called to praise, reverence, and serve God, each of us has a specific mission as to how we will fulfill this in our daily lives. In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus fulfilling his mission from the Father. He travelled to various villages and towns healing the sick and casting out demons. He also woke up very early, went to a lonely place, and prayed. He listened. And then, he followed what he heard from the Father.
As Samuel was instructed to respond to the voice calling his name, Jesus’ prayer may have well been the refrain of our psalm today: “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.” As Christians, are we ready to hear God’s voice? Furthermore, are we ready to do as we are told?