St Martin's & St Paul's
Parish Canterbury
St Martin's & St Paul's
Parish Canterbury
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The story of the Call of Samuel must be one of the most beautiful stories in the Old Testament. The little boy living and working alongside the old, sad, priest Eli; the voice of God coming to him in his sleep and his faithful response when he thinks it is Eli, getting up and going to him over and over again until Eli realises that it must be God calling and tells him that he should reply, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth". When the voice comes again Samuel forgets the word "Lord" but he remembers everything else, and so his life of long service to God begins. Samuel was dedicated to God at birth and his mother Hannah fulfilled her vow by bringing him to the Temple. God's message to Samuel was not good news for Eli and Samuel did not wish to tell Eli how God had condemned his ministry and foretold the deaths of his own wayward sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who would be killed in the battle during which the Ark of the Covenant would be stolen. But with admirable courage and conviction, Eli insisted he speak. That conviction would sear into Samuel, and in time he would put God before all human concerns. The story would grow harsher and darker; the dour old man Samuel mediating between God and the people.
When the truth of God's Word came to pass the news of his sons' deaths killed Eli. In such a climate and context the young prophet Samuel would come into his calling.
Alongside this we read of the call of Nathanael, another person discerned by God in Jesus Christ to prepare his way, to follow him and fulfil the promise of his Kingdom. We don't know a lot about this man, who in other Gospels is called Bartholomew, but his call indicates the great knowledge God has of us, and the promises he bears for us. Nor did Jesus call Nathanael/Bartholomew to an easy life: in legend, Bartholomew suffered a painful martyrdom. But like Samuel, Nathanael in his own words said, "Speak Lord, I am listening" and however different our circumstances may be, that is how we are called to respond.
Amen
