January 12.  “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” Promise commented, “ There is quite a lot to think about when it comes to listening and to a calling.  I find it interesting that Hannah kind of negotiated with God that if he gave her a child she would dedicate him to God. And she did.  But are parents always open to their children being called to serve God in a totally dedicated way?  Do they encourage this?  Do parents allow children to choose their own vocation in life, or expect them to follow a path they have chosen for them?  Even though there might be a hope that a child will come into the family business, at this time of the year young people, whenever possible, are starting out to follow their own dream. Parents mostly make enormous sacrifices to give their children the best start in life. Are these sacrifices really appreciated? “ Becoming an eco-friendly family: Take some action to respond to the calling to care for the earth.  

Eli understood that it was the Lord who was calling the boy and he said, “Go and lie down and if someone calls say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” Samuel 3:1-10. Pope Francis: Many people who are unmarried are not only devoted to their own family but often render great service in the group of their friends, in the Church community and in their professional lives. Virginity is a form of love.  AL 158-9