Ordinary Time 
Pause
Christ is the light of the world — the one who sees us and helps us to see with the eyes of faith. In the season of Epiphany, we ponder who Christ is and remember his ministry among the people of Israel, as well as the outcasts and foreigners.
And we remember that God has called each of us to bear Christ’s light in the world.
So what is God calling you to see in your own life? Or to see in the lives of those around you? How might others know and see God in you this week?
Come. Come and see.
Listen
The Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of all who hear it tingle! On that day, I will bring to pass against Eli everything I said about his household — every last bit of it! I told him that I would punish his family forever because of the wrongdoing he knew about — how his sons were cursing God, but he wouldn’t stop them. Because of that I swore about Eli’s household that his family’s wrongdoing will never be reconciled by sacrifice or by offering.”
Samuel lay there until morning, then opened the doors of the Lord’s house. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel, saying: “Samuel, my son!”
“I’m here,” Samuel said.
“What did he say to you?” Eli asked. “Don’t hide anything from me. May God deal harshly with you and worse still if you hide from me a single word from everything he said to you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him.
“He is the Lord, ” Eli said. “He will do as he pleases.”
So Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him, not allowing any of his words to fail. All Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was trustworthy as the Lord’s prophet.
1 Samuel 3:11-20
Think
Have you ever had to tell someone something difficult you felt they needed to hear? I once needed to say I disagreed with my supervisor about a plan for the church. It was hard and made me feel unsure, but she respected my opinion, and it led to a good conversation.
Eli needed the wrongdoings of his sons and the punishment for those wrongdoings to be brought to his attention. And God chose Samuel to be the messenger of this tough news. Samuel must have been nervous and upset to bring such terrible news to his mentor — someone who had helped teach and guide him.
Though he knows what might come out of the conversation, Eli models the faith and urges Samuel to speak the truth in love and to let him know everything that God had said. From then on, Samuel grew in his role as a prophet and people knew — they could see — he was able to speak the truth, even when it was difficult.
Where are you being called to speak the truth in love?
Annabelle Peake Markey
Pray
Holy One, there are so many things that are wrong in the world. Give me the courage to speak up against violence, injustice, abuses, and corruption. Fill my words with truth and help me always to speak that truth in love and with great respect and humility. Amen.
Go
Go, seen in the light of Christ.
Go, surrounded by the light of Christ.
Go, bearing the light of Christ to the world.
Go, reflecting the light of Christ to those in need.
Go, seeing the light of Christ shining forth from others.
