Scripture:
1 Kings 19:19-21
Matthew 5:33-37
Reflection:
Sometimes the Lord surprises us with just the kind of push we need once in a while! And not all of us like surprises either!
Samuel was in the cave and the Lord called him several times. Thinking it was Eli, who was also in the cave, he ran to him, but the wise old man told him to return to his bed. It happened again and then again. Finally, the holy man told him that him that if he heard the voice once more, simply say, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” And, thus, we have the call of Samuel, who would do great things for the Lord and his people.
Today, in our reading from 1st Kings, once again we have the Lord calling another great soul to follow him. This time it is Elijah who was also in a cave, feeling very despondent and frustrated about how he was seemingly unable to convince the people to place their belief in the one true God. He needed help! And with God’s grace, he found that help in Elisha, a hard worker who was being called to leave all things and follow the prophet, which is to say, to follow the Lord. What is so wonderful about this call is that Elisha knew that he could not delay. He knew he could not hesitate. The task before him was to leave all things immediately, to hurry home and kiss his father and mother, which is about getting their blessing, and then to go forth without a second thought. His call was to trust and to respond wholeheartedly. And he did.
Surprisingly, dear friends, it is no different for us today. The Lord continues to call us but the hard part is to listen. Now, it is true, no one dwells in a cave awaiting the Lord’s call. Instead, we find ourselves in a world that is so much with us, and so very full of noise and distraction.
My ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center in Detroit is all about inviting people of all ages to come and to listen, to stand still and to free themselves of all the distractions that keep us from hearing the voice of the Lord. Day after day, week after week, we are so blessed here at the retreat center to watch what happens to so many people who are courageous enough to simply tune out of all the media and noise, and to open their hearts to the wondrous voice of the Lord. And the Lord speaks! Again and again. And he will for you, as well, but first, dear friends, like the prophets of old, we have to be still. We have to trust and let go. We have to listen! And when he speaks, we have to be ready to respond as did those holy ones of old: “Speak, O Lord, for we, your servants are listening!”
Fr. Pat Brennan, C.P. is the director of Saint Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan.