In the first reading, we hear the story of a young Samuel. It is significant that the role of the prophet is essential to the development of Samuel’s calling to be a prophet for God. I have heard some parents state, “They don’t want to influence their child’s choice of religion or non-religion.” This is obviously a cop-out by the parents. Parents are essential to the guidance of children, something no state or government or school system can replace. A child needs parents to guide them, especially in the ways of God.
I remember reading in a Catholic Digest about two women cleaning a church. They were lamenting the few men entering the priesthood. One woman had a son and daughter, the other had never been blessed with a child. The one without a child stated that maybe the other woman’s son would become a priest. To which the woman replied, “He will not. I want grandchildren with my name!” Where does a priest come from? Families! If parents do not support a child with a special calling, who can complain if there are not enough priest to provide the Eucharist that nourishes our lives. Without the proper guidance, Samuel may not have responded to God in such a special way.
The Psalm response this week is, “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.” This is not just for priests and religious, this is for everyone! Do couples looking to get married take the time to ask if their marriage to each other is “God’s will for them?” We all have a vocation: Priest, Deacon, Lector, Teacher, Married, Single, Parents, Prophet.
We have in the Gospel, the story of the earliest disciples of Jesus. John the Baptizer wasn’t concerned about building “HIS” group. Like a good parent, or the prophet in the first reading, he was more concerned with helping others find their calling and responding to God.
When I first considered the priesthood, I had someone say to me, “Forget this priest thing, get a real job!” Regardless of one’s calling, we have a responsibility to support each other and sometimes go guide them in the way God may be calling them.
Countenance of God 