011 Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

Cycle B2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 6:13-15,17-20

Gospel: John 1:35-42

Old Testament: 1 Samuel 3:3-10,19

Psalm: Psalm 40

Homily Theme

A Wake-Up Call

In today’s first reading the youthful Samuel is sleeping in the Temple when he hears a wake-up call. He quickly asks the old prophet Eli whether he called him. Eli assures him that he didn’t and tells him to go back to sleep. After a couple of more wake-up calls, Eli realizes it is the Lord who is calling Samuel. Samuel hears, but he is not yet used to listening to the Lord. Eli tells him it is the Lord who is calling him and the next time he hears that voice, he is to say, “Speak Lord, I am listening." After 2000 years of Christianity how many youthful Catholics still need that wake-up call? How many elderly Catholics also need it? What about you and I, do we listen to the Word at Mass, when we hear the Word read, or do we go back to sleep again?

Many people have lost their money, jobs and their homes in the USA; there was a war in the Middle-East where hundreds lost their lives with threats of more global violence still to come. It is a wake-up call for them and us. Ninety percent of Americans claim to believe in God but only 35 percent worship Him or observe the Lord’s Day. It is even less in Europe. Millions are living together without marriage and millions more are aborting their babies and calling it pro-choice. We live in a pagan society where God is not acknowledged, so most will not be hearing the Word nor listening for His voice today. Most of the world’s Catholics will not be at Mass this Sunday to hear what God says to them in the second reading about their body being a temple of the Holy Spirit and not for immorality. Will they hear the Lord calling them to live a pure life? Not unless you and I follow the example of Eli and let them know it is the Lord who is speaking.

Today in the Gospel John the Baptist says to two of his disciples, “Behold the Lamb of God." They heard, listened and followed when Jesus called them. The words of John the Baptist are repeated by the priest as he holds up the consecrated host. “Behold the Lamb of God.” We need to be there to hear, listen and follow the call that will bring us to Jesus.

This is a wake-up call.