By Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB

These words were said by young Samuel, the prophet. Called by God, but not knowing what the Lord wanted, Samuel was told by his guardian, the High Priest, to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” Probably, not one of us has had such an experience, but just as likely, many of us have experienced an inner voice telling us of a right thing to say or proper way to act. It is God’s voice speaking to us through the voice of conscience that He has implanted in us. We are called upon to listen.

St. Paul on this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time B instructs Corinthians and us how to form a right moral conscience. Paul lists several things to bear in mind: Our bodies have not been given to us by God for immorality but to serve us on our way to immortal life; our bodies are raised to a higher state of life through our baptism into Christ. We are members of his body. As Christ was raised to life, so also our bodies are meant to be raised with him.

Thus, Paul asserts, “Avoid immorality,” for joined to Christ we become “one Spirit with him.” Many kinds of sin exist, all outside the body, “But the immoral person sins against his own body,“ for, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” One who truly respects God respects his or her own body, avoiding sins of the flesh. Paul teaches in revealed truth that we are not sole possessors of our bodies, “For [we] have been purchased at a great price,” the suffering and death of Christ. By keeping our bodies pure, we glorify God, a teaching of eternal truth not very welcome in this age of ‘whatever-feels-good-is-good.’                  

The opening of St. John’s Gospel describes the Baptist’s ministry. Andrew and John, future apostles, stand by as the Baptist identifies Jesus as the sacrificial “Lamb of God.” That is why He came as Savior from the captivity of sin. The Baptist preached forgiveness of sin. By His Passion and Death, Jesus brought it.

Samuel prefigured Jesus, who came to do God’s will. Paul preached true Christian life, and for our sake, Jesus accepted the Cross. John the Evangelist and Andrew listened to the Baptist and found Jesus for Peter and all of God’s Church.

“Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will.”