January 17: 

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Church throughout the world prays with the following scriptures this Sunday:

First Reading: 1 Samuel 3:3-10,19
Samuel’s mother had longed for a child; she promised God the gift of her son and dedicated him to the Lord before he was born. Living in the temple, young Samuel heard God calling him; he thought the calls came from a temple priest, Eli. After repeatedly hearing his name called he responded with the words Eli asked him to say, “Speak for your servant is listening.” Samuel listened well enough that he grew to influence judges and military leaders and anointed both Saul and David. Who has called you to do good? To what and who have you been called to respond with your full heart? What good have you done that you know must have come from God because it is beyond anything you thought you could do? In your studies, work, and relationships, how do you respond to God’s call to listen attentively, to serve, and to be your best self?

Responsorial: Psalm 40: 2, 4, 7-10
In the midst of this pandemic let’s pray with the psalmist and faithful people through centuries, “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.”

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20
How can we help our children know their bodies are and always will be temples of the Holy Spirit?

Gospel: John 1:35-42
When we pray regularly, especially by looking for goodness and listening to God, we grow in realization Jesus lives in our midst. In this Gospel story, Jesus’ potential followers seek Jesus out of curiosity. Jesus responds to them and to us whenever we seek God. Possibly the isolation caused by COVID-19 can give us a chance to listen for God, to pause to ponder - How does my life reflect Jesus’ presence? There is a hunger in each of us for a life that only God can give us right here. Wherever we are, we can say to God, “Your servant is listening.” God is calling each one of us right in the midst of our daily routines. Our job is to listen to God and do and say the right thing, the loving thing at all times.

~Dr. Deni Mack