First Reading:  1 Samuel 3-10, 19

The Call of Samuel

[3:3] The temple referred to in this passage is not the great Temple in Jerusalem (not to be built for another hundred years), but a shrine on the top of a holy mountain. According to the Jewish Law, the tribe of Levi was to be the priests; this tribe lived among the other tribes of Israel. Various places of worship were established among the tribes. 350-400 years later, King Hezekiah limited sacrifice worship to the Temple in Jerusalem. The ark rested at Shiloh, the worship sight where Samuel served.

[3:4-6] The young Samuel confused the voice of God for that of Eli, the elderly priest in charge of the worship site. The sign of spiritual maturity is discerning God's voice from others. The young Samuel was old enough to encounter God directly and take ownership of faith. The influence of Eli became secondary.

[7] The passage emphasizes God's initiative. Samuel is seeking God through his service, but only God can cause the encounter to occur. How many times have we tried to mature spiritually, only to be set back by God and told: "Wait and listen!"

[8-9] The elder Eli is the one who discerns God's voice. While God was not pleased with Eli and his sons, the wisdom of his old age shines through. The role of a spiritual guide is to facilitate the student's experience of God and knowledge of his will.

[10] Up to this point, Samuel could not see the presence of the Lord, because he was not aware. Now, God reveals himself to Samuel because he was ready. Notice that God revealed himself to Samuel in the early morning when one would sleep. These early morning times are the best for prayer because they are the hours of human weakness.

Have I experienced God in the early morning? Or, have I experienced my own weakness? Can I see my self as Eli or as Samuel? Or as both?