Understanding the Word

By Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.

The vivid and dynamic account of the call of Samuel is both a call narrative  and a theophany or manifestation of God. There is a clear difference between  Samuel’s relationship with God before this experience and his relationship after  it. Though pious, the young Samuel did not know God well; he had received no  revelation. His encounter was transformative; a bond was forged between him  and God. His responsiveness opened him further, enabling him to receive the  word of God and, presumably, to speak it to others. Samuel’s influence is attributed to God’s direction in his life. It was God who made Samuel’s words effective. Paul furnishes the Corinthian community with instruction on the sanctity of the  human body. Since it is through our bodies that union with Christ is possible, this  same body is to be revered. God highly values the human body, as evident in  the bodily resurrection first of Christ and then of others. Paul goes on to assert  that our bodies are temples of the Spirit, the same Spirit with whom we are one  through our union with Christ. Paul’s final admonition is brief but quite revealing.  He calls upon the Corinthians to glorify God in their bodies, which are the means  by which we touch the mysteries of God. 

There are times when intermediaries play important roles in the lives of others. The Gospel reading describes two such instances of this. John directs two of  his own disciples to Jesus. He identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God, a title that may  be based on an interpretation of the description of the Suffering Servant found  in the prophet Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 53:7). Later in the story, Andrew recognizes something in Jesus and becomes convinced that he is the long-awaited one. Andrew  then brings his brother Peter to Jesus. In both instances, the faith of an associate  begins another’s own journey to discipleship. 

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