Letters From Home

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time by Ms. Joan Watson.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Anthony by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Shane Owens.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Scott Hahn.

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Readings:
1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19
Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10
1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20
John 1:35-42

In the call of Samuel and of the first Apostles, today’s readings shed light on our own calling to be followers of Christ.

Notice in the Gospel today that John’s disciples are prepared to hear God’s call. They are already looking for the Messiah, so they trust in John’s word and follow when he points out the Lamb of God walking by.

Samuel is also waiting on the Lord—sleeping near the Ark of the Covenant where God’s glory dwells, taking instruction from Eli, the high priest.

Samuel listened to God’s word and the Lord was with him. And Samuel, through his word, turned all Israel to the Lord (see 1 Samuel 3:21; 7:2–3). The disciples too heard and followed—words we hear
repeatedly in today’s Gospel. They stayed with the Lord and by their testimony brought others to the Lord.

These scenes from salvation history should give us strength to embrace God’s will and to follow His call in our lives.

God is constantly calling to each of us—personally, by name (see Isaiah 43:1; John 10:3). He wants us to seek Him in love, to long for His word (see Wisdom 6:11–12). We must desire always, as the apostles did, to stay where the Lord stays, to constantly seek His face (see Psalm 42:2).

For we are not our own, but belong to the Lord, as Paul says in today’s Epistle.

We must have ears open to obedience, and write His word within our hearts. We must trust in the Lord’s promise—that if we come to Him in faith, He will abide with us (see John 15:14; 14:21–23), and raise us by His power. And we must reflect in our lives the love He has shown us, so that others too may find the Messiah.

As we renew our vows of discipleship in this Eucharist, let us approach the altar singing the new song of today’s Psalm: “Behold I come . . . to do your will O God.”

Lecturas:
1 Samuel 3, 3–10.19
Salmo 40, 2.4.7–10
1 Corintios 6, 3–15.17–20
Juan 1,35–42

En las llamadas de Samuel y del primero de los Apóstoles, las lecturas de este domingo nos dan luz sobre nuestra propia vocación de seguidores de Cristo.

En el Evangelio, hay que notar que los discípulos de Juan están preparados para escuchar la llamada de Dios. Ellos ya están buscando al Mesías, por lo tanto confían en la palabra de Juan y le comprenden cuando él les señala al Cordero de Dios que pasa a su lado.

También Samuel está a la espera del Señor: duerme cerca del Arca de la Alianza, donde mora la gloria de Dios, y recibe instrucción de Elí, el sumo sacerdote.

Samuel escuchó la palabra de Dios y el Señor estaba con él. Y Samuel, por su palabra, convirtió a todo Israel al Señor (cf. 1S 3,21; 7,2-3). También los discípulos escucharon y siguieron las palabras que escuchamos continuamente en el Evangelio dominical. Ellos permanecieron con el Señor y por su testimonio, otros se acercaron a Él.

Estos pasajes de la historia de la salvación deberían darnos la fuerza necesaria para que abracemos la voluntad de Dios y sigamos su llamado en nuestras vidas.

Dios está llamando constantemente a cada uno de nosotros: lo llama por su nombre, personalmente (cf. Is 43,1; Jn 10,3). Quiere que lo busquemos por amor, que anhelemos su Palabra (cf. Sb 6,11-12). Como lo hicieron los apóstoles, debemos desear siempre estar donde el Señor está; para buscar su rostro constantemente.

Como nos dice San Pablo en la epístola del domingo, no somos dueños de nosotros mismos pues pertenecemos al Señor.

Debemos abrir nuestros oídos a la obediencia y escribir su Palabra en nuestro corazón. Hemos de confiar en la promesa del Señor: si venimos a Él con fe, Él será misericordioso con nosotros (cf. Jn 15,14; 14,21-23) y nos levantará con su poder. Y nosotros debemos reflejar en nuestras vidas el amor que nos ha mostrado, para que también otros puedan encontrar al Mesías.

Mientras renovamos las promesas de nuestro discipulado en esta Eucaristía, acerquémonos al altar entonando el nuevo canto del salmo dominical: “Aquí estoy, Señor, para cumplir tu voluntad”.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time by Mr. Clement Harrold.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. John Bergsma.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time by Ms. Joan Watson.

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. John Bergsma.

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