Immanent God, do you actually speak to us? Do we just talk at you or is there a real dialog? How do we know if and when you are speaking to us? Sceptics think we are just speaking into the ionosphere and practicing a grand illusion.   Our forbearers seemed to be ok speaking and listening but apparently had to be trained.  I’m thinking of Samuel who served at the temple with Eli the priest.   He was sleeping and you called his name.  He went to Eli and said, “You called?” Eli said go back to bed. You called a few times until Eli figured you were calling the youth.  He told Samuel to say, “Here I am Lord, your servant is listening.”

Ah, if only I could be like Samuel and have an Eli, to tell me when you are calling.  If I knew, I’d say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

How are you speaking to me as a leader in this organization? Samuel also said, that he was listening and “I come to do your will.”

How can my work here further your kingdom?  What signs do you leave for me?  What are you saying to me? Let me think of some situations with which to be attentive:

The opportunity to create an environment in which colleagues can do their best and feel enabled.  Is that you calling in the night?

The chance to cancel a product that might be very profitable, but just does not feel right, that might make society regress rather than progress.

The opening to mentor a talented and deserving youth. Who may not have the connections that some others have to advance, be advised, be spoken for.

The situation where you “fire” a profitable client because of their ethical lapses or because they mistreat one of your employees.

The fortuity to invest in a profitable enterprise that is also good for the community, society.

Are these times when you are calling?  What other situations do you use to speak to me? Send me an Eli to discern your voice from among the many that call to me.  Speak Lord for you servant is listening.

Section 2: Scripture: 1 Sam 3:1-10; Mt 1:18-25

Hebrew Scripture

New Testament

During the time young Samuel was minister to the LORD under Eli, the word of the LORD was scarce and vision infrequent.2 One day Eli was asleep in his usual place. His eyes had lately grown so weak that he could not see.3 The lamp of God was not yet extinguished, and Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was. 4 The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.”5 He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.” “I did not call you,” Eli answered. “Go back to sleep.” So he went back to sleep.6 Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli. “Here I am,” he said. “You called me.” But he answered, “I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep.” 7 Samuel did not yet recognize the LORD, since the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.8 The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time. Getting up and going to Eli, he said, “Here I am. You called me.” Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.9 So he said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” When Samuel went to sleep in his place,10 the LORD came and stood there, calling out as before: Samuel, Samuel! Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. 19 Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 20 Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. 21 She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. Matthew 1:18-25

Section 3
You may wish to be silent for a few minutes. Listen and discern.

Section 4
In your own words, in your own silence, speak with God.