WEDNESDAY HOMILY FOR 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

WEDNESDAY HOMILY FOR 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

THEME: HELPING OTHERS TO SUCCEED

BY: FR. KARABARI PAUL

‘Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.'”

We all need someone who understands all our clutter and imperfections, and still willing to help us succeed in life. Someone who listens carefully to our passions, dreams, goals, hang-ups, and immature ideas and give caring directions we can follow. We need someone who can live above the ‘all-about-me’ syndrome of today’s world to provide encouragement that can help us realise what God has deposited in us and become exactly the person He desires us to be. We need someone who is free enough to allow us know exactly what they know and even exceed their success stories without being hindered and envied.

In the First Reading today (Isam. 3:1-10, 19-20), we see that it often takes others in our lives to aid us in understanding the Call God places before us; to realise our full potential.

The quality of Eli while providing mentorship for Samuel must be highlighted. Eli’s sons were of the priestly line, and it was their birthright to serve in the Temple. But they acted unjustly before God. So, Eli understood the implication of God’s call for Samuel, and yet he never got angry that power had shifted from his household. In fact, God’s call for Samuel was indirectly a judgement against Eli’s own children. Eli could have misdirected the little Samuel, but he never did. He did not block him. Never you become jealous of someone else’s talent. And you should not be intimidated by it. When you learn to appreciate and applaud the gift of God in someone else’s life, you place yourself in a position where He can bless you as well. The fact is, we are all necessary to God’s plan and love.

Like the Little Samuel, in humility, we must know that it is possible to worship God and still do not know Him intimately without good guidance. It is possible to hear God speaking but do not recognize His voice if someone is not there to direct us. We can have God pass our way and still not recognize that He is God without Eli telling us. It means we must be obedient and teachable.

As God inspires us to follow His call and achieve all kinds of things for His kingdom, we should also be willing to pour inspiration on to others who need it. Here are some advice for times when we are called to encourage and inspire someone: 1) Assure them of God’s love and yours. When people are nervous or unsure, it helps to remind them of how much God loves them and how much you care for them too. Let them know they are loved for who they are, and that their worth in God’s eyes is never in doubt. 2) Help them to discover their potential. ‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given us’ (Romans 12:6). Find out what they love to do, and help them discover their gifts and skills. Encourage them to take a step out of their comfort zone so they can stretch and grow their skills. 3) Don’t try to make them something they are not. God gives each person their own unique personality and calling. Celebrate what makes them individual, and support the person they are, not the person you think they ought to be. 4) Help them build godly values. Encourage them to get closer to God everyday. Let us come alongside others and inspire them to do ‘every good work’. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. God bless you and your household always through Christ Our Lord Amen. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Good morning.

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