EVERYONE IS SEARCHING…

1 Samuel 3:1-10,19-20

1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim, so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place; 3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down within the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.
4 Then the LORD called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!”
5 and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.6 And the LORD called again, “Samuel!” And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.”
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy.
9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, Speak, LORD, for thy servant hears.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the LORD came and stood forth, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for thy servant hears.”19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.20 And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD.

Mark 1:29-39

29 And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her.31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.
32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.33 And the whole city was gathered together about the door.
34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.
36 And Simon and those who were with him pursued him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Every one is searching for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out.”39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.  

MEDITATION

THE FIRST READING: Samuel is an assistant to the temple priest Eli, when one night whilst he was sleeping close to the Ark above which hung a burning light-a symbol of God’s eternal presence-he was twice awakened by someone calling his name. 
Whilst Samuel was “ministering to the Lord,” he did not “know God,” therefore Eli advised him to change his response and submit himself as a servant who is ready to assent to God and be in service of Him and the people, should He receive another call! The third call set in motion Samuels illumination and his obedience to be in service God.

St MARK Records Jesus’ visitation to Simons house, to specifically heal his mother in law. At sundown, more people came or were brought to the door (v32) of Simons house to be healed by Christ! Mark makes the point that early the next morning well before dawn, Simon went in search of Christ because he and the rest of the Apostles were ready to serve Him. 
From this moment onwards in his writing, St Mark identify Simon by his Apostolic name; Peter or Simon Peter, that was given him (Mt 16:18), when he was chosen to head the Apostolic office of the Church.

It is no coincidence that St Mark is the only writer who recorded Jesus work of healing at Peter house, which typologically bolster and affirm Peter calling to head up and serve Christ and His Church. Peters unassuming manner when he went in search of Christ very early “before dawn,” suggest Peters leadership over the rest of the apostles. In baptism and confirmation we were called to not merely stand ready, but to listen to the voice of God and present ourselves to serve those who are searching for meaning in their lives and or healing. It is by time that we the laity and even many priests abandon our pithy excuses enduced by fear, and submit to Christs call to serve His people who are lost and afflicted, a cause of the apparent man made pandemic.

LET IS PRAY: Psalms 40:2,5,7-10

2 He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
5 Thou hast multiplied, O LORD my God, thy wondrous deeds and thy thoughts toward us; none can compare with thee! Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be numbered.

7 Then I said, “Lo, I come; in the roll of the book it is written of me; 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart.”9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; lo, I have not restrained my lips, as thou knowest, O LORD.10 I have not hid thy saving help within my heart, I have spoken of thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness from the great congregation.

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER 
Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.