For me, telling others my New Year’s resolutions are usually the
kiss of death to them. I hope it’s not
going to happen this year because I’m going to share one of mine with you. I let myself get lax this past year in daily
Mass attendance, so I resolved I am going to go to Mass every day that I am
able to and if there is a Mass offered.
So far, it’s going well. I haven’t
gone on Saturday’s because I have either been working or traveling for work,
but I have been able to go every other day.
I love the Mass. It doesn’t
matter which language it’s being celebrated in—it is so comforting to pray with
a community, and then to participate in the Holy Sacrifice that prepares us to receive
Jesus’ body, blood, soul and divinity. The Liturgy of the Eucharist is my favorite
part of the Mass.
My second favorite part of the Mass is the Liturgy of the Word. The reasons it takes second place to the
Eucharist are two-fold: First, how can
anything compare to a physical union with God?
Secondly—and I hate to admit this—is that I sometimes find some of the
readings either confusing or vague. The
days those readings are chosen are when I hope the priest is a good homilist
who can tie everything together for me.
With all of that being said, this week’s readings are beautifully
tied together by Mother Church and most of the homilies write themselves, so
even a poor preacher can make sense of them!
The unifying message I see in this week’s readings is that we need
to listen and to respond to God’s promptings in our lives. Sometimes they are
direct messages from God and sometimes they come through other people (1 Samuel
3:1-10, 19-20, Psalm 40:2-5, 7-8, 8-9, 10 and Mark 1:29-39). But just listening
isn’t enough, although it is an important first step.
Lily is at the age (5-years-old) when she has to be asked over and
over again, “Did you hear what I said?” Her usual reply is, “I hear you,” to
which we have to say, “I need you to listen AND respond.” It’s almost a mantra
around our house.
Samuel was listening and he was trying to respond, but he wasn’t
listening closely enough to realize it was the Lord speaking to him. He needed
Eli to counsel him. That’s OK…we all need the wisdom of elders and those more
spiritually in touch than ourselves. Once he learned that God was truly
speaking to him, he responded appropriately and developed a deep relationship
with the Lord.
The responsorial psalm echoes Samuel’s sentiments: “Here am I, Lord,
I come to do your will.” There is special mention of having “ears open” and
then acting.
In Mark’s gospel, Jesus listens to His friends’ entreaty to help
Simon’s mother-in-law, even if they may have not made a direct request. Just
telling Jesus about her plight was enough for Him to immediately respond,
reaching out and healing her instantly.
The next day, after a full evening of dealing with crowds gathered
at the door and curing as many as possible, He rose early and “went off to a
deserted place” to pray. I can just imagine the prayers He offered, probably
discussing with His Father the fatigue He may have felt, concerns for others, His
hopes for the future, and quietly listening as He absorbed strength from the
Holy Spirit.
When His friends found him, He had a response ready for them. He
wanted to go to nearby villages and preach, saying, “For this purpose have I
come.” Through listening to God’s call through prayer, He was able to focus in
on what He was to do. He shows us the way to discover what we are to do: listen
to God’s whispers in our hearts and then act on them. We may not always have
the extreme clarity to say, “For this purpose have I come,” but sometimes we
will, and other times we will know at least what direction we should go and
what direction we should avoid.
That’s why I resolved this year to go to Mass as often as I
can. I want to hear the Lord’s voice and
respond to His call as best I can.
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