January 17.  Sunday 2B.  Fr Brian decided to speak about Samuel and his origin as a miracle child. His mother Hannah was childless and Eli, the prophet found her weeping bitterly in the temple. After listening to her story God inspired him to tell her that she would bear a son. In gratitude she dedicated the boy to God from his earliest days and he became one of the most important figures in the history of the Jewish people.  Fr Brian continued,  “God speaks in a variety of ways to each of us in our own life situation, our family life, our work, school, relationships with friends etc.  To some he whispers, to others he calls loudly or repeatedly. To Joseph he spoke in dreams. Are we listening to what God may want to say to us?    

The Lord called “Samuel, Samuel” and Samuel ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, you called me.”  On the third occasion Eli perceived that it was the Lord calling the boy, so he told him to answer, “Speak Lord, for your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:10-19.

Pope Francis:  The Creator can say to each one of us, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, (Jer1:5)   We were conceived in the heart of God and for this reason each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.  LS65.  Reflect and share.