Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Friends,

The Lord calls out to a young Samuel in the first reading. Despite initially being unable to recognize God's voice, Samuel learns, with Eli's help, to respond, "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." This passage emphasizes the necessity of establishing a sensitive heart, being alert to God's call, and being humble enough to seek assistance from those more experienced in their spiritual journey, or those just reaching out to assist us on our paths. God’s presence can be found in a lot of places but we need to be willing and open to hear that call. Sometimes God’s voice can be heard through nature, other people, and situations that are present in our lives.

The second reading, from the book of Corinthians, highlights the sanctity of our bodies. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our bodies are not intended for immorality but for the Lord. We are called to worship God with our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit and as followers of Christ. This passage encourages us to be holy, to avoid immorality, and to glorify God in how we treat our bodies. Particularly on a college campus, drugs and alcohol are so readily available and acceptably misused, but through this passage, we see how respecting our own bodies is a form of worship.

Finally, the Gospel this week is a call to action from all disciples. When Andrew and Peter approach Jesus, they question where He is dwelling. Inviting them to come and see, Jesus begins a connection with them. In turn, Andrew leads his brother Simon to Jesus. This story emphasizes the significance of personal encounters with Christ, sharing the joy of the Gospel, and introducing others to the Messiah. This perfectly emphasizes the Newman mission of Encounter, Grow, Serve and further highlights the first reading’s message of seeing God through the outreach of others.  

After reflecting on this week’s readings, we can consider how well we listen to God's message in our own lives. Where might God be trying to reach out to you? How can you better listen for His voice? Hopefully, these messages of God’s ubiquity can motivate us to cultivate an attentive, obedient, and ready heart that is willing to expect God’s graces.

Eva Kraus (Drexel ‘25)