SPEAK LORD, I AM LISTENING! 16th National Cursillo Encounter Villanova University July/20/06 I. Personal Encounter with God- Jesus “In those days, when the boy Samuel was serving the Lord under the direction of Eli, there were very few messages from the Lord. And visions from Him were quite rare. One night Eli, who was now almost blind, was sleeping in his own room; Samuel was sleeping in the Sanctuary where the sacred covenant box was. Before dawn, while the lamp was still burning, the Lord called Samuel. He answered: “Yes Sir”, and ran to Eli and said:” You called me and here I am”. But Eli answered.” I didn’t call you, go back to bed”. So Samuel went back to bed. The Lord called Samuel again. The boy did not know that it was the Lord because the Lord had never spoken to him before. So he got up, went to Eli and said, “You called me and here I am”. But Eli answered, “My son I didn’t call you, go back to bed”. The Lord called Samuel a third time: he got up went to Eli and said, “You called me and here I am”. Then Eli realized that it was the Lord who was calling the boy, so he said to him, “go back to bed and if he calls again, say Speak Lord, your servant is listening”. So Samuel went back to bed. The Lord came and stood there, and called as he had before. “Samuel, Samuel”. Samuel answered, “Speak Lord, Your Servant is listening” (1 Sam. 3, 1-10) II. New Identity, Universal call to Sanctity (Lumen Gentium V) Vat. II – 40 years ago - The Call gives us a New Identity; “It was He who gave gifts to people: He appointed some to be Apostles, others to be Prophets, others to be Evangelists, others to be Pastors and Teachers. He did this to prepare all God’s people for the work of Christian service”. (Eph. 4,11) - But Eli’s eyes were weak and Samuel didn’t know the Lord yet (the leaders are tired, worn out or, not capable to see the signs no more, but still capable to discern for new leaders.) “ The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double edge sword”. Heb. 4,12 - It was rare to have God’s messages, but now we have rare messages from God. - Samuel was serving at the temple, but didn’t know God. (desire inside) - Night- Sleep, darkness - Search, immediate response - Though the words are not clear: He was sent back to sleep. Many of us are sleeping in the Temple. - It is not easy to recognize the Pastor’s voice: “Who can ever learn the will of God”? Human reason is not adequate for the task, and our philosophers tend to mislead us, because our mortal bodies weigh our soul down”. (Wisdom 9,13) - What we want to hear is opposite of what we need to hear- LISTEN-SHEMAH. “Solid food on the other hand, is for adults, who through practice are able to distinguish between good and evil”. (Heb. 5 14) III. Mission. - On the daily road, walking, serving, is where we are going to be able to identify “Los Colores” of God’s will, like the Blessed Virgin Mary: “The Lord has done great things for me”, All generations will call me blessed”. - The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you. Most Rev. Eusebio Elizondo, m.sp.s. Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle