Channel of grace

When the young prophet Samuel was sleeping in the Temple, he heard the voice of God calling, but he did not recognize it was God who was calling him. Eli at first did not realized that his young charge was being summoned by God.

Eli turns out to be a good spiritual director for Samuel, helping him discern the voice of God, acknowledging that it was God who was at work in Samuel. Eli instructed Samuel to listen and to respond, to take a stance of receptivity to God’s presence and call. Samuel did so and gained great credibility with the people as a prophet of God.

There are some parallels here for us on our journey of faith: to tune in and pay attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our life; to find time each day to listen and be in communion with the Lord; to let our prayer strengthen our union with the Lord and to energize us for doing God’s work.

My images this week have a winter theme, with the exception of a couple of macro leaf images, made indoors where it was nice and warm. There is a season for everything under the heavens.

“Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” (I Samuel 3:9)