These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 1:1-3)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011826.cfm
Old letters are wonderful. Grace and peace still come to us through this letter of Saint Paul. But who is Sosthenes, “our brother”? Outside of being the co-author of the first letter to the church at Corinth, we really don’t know. Sosthenes is a mystery. What we do know is that the Apostle Paul did not travel alone, he had many co-workers. https://youtu.be/u5DjH4ncSHU?si=r6QUybrAS8oGZ_M4
While he was at table in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” (Mk 2:13-17)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011726.cfm
The eating and drinking with sinners is probably one of the oldest memories of the Eucharist. We are always invited to the Table. Saint Anthony (251-356) heard the Lord calling him to the desert and became the Father of All Monks. https://youtu.be/i08da4iH9Dw?si=wrAo7_JW8o6_xPaV
The people, however, refused to listen to Samuel’s warning and said, “Not so! There must be a king over us. We too must be like other nations, with a king to rule us and to lead us in warfare and fight our battles.” (1 Sam 8:4-7, 19-22a)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011626.cfm
Even though they are warned by Samuel, the people still want a strongman to solve their problems. The temptation is as old as humanity itself—but it is a temptation. As God says to Samuel, “It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king.” The ultimate rejection of God as king is revealed in the Cross of Jesus. https://youtu.be/bsZVzaHCq1E?si=RYomtvkPPezBfbZi
When the troops retired to the camp, the elders of Israel said “Why has the LORD permitted us to be defeated today by the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the Lord from Shiloh that it may go into battle among us and save us from the grasp of our enemies.” (1 Sam 4:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011526.cfm
Well, the Ark of the Lord did not save them. When we try to use God as a weapon against others, it never turns out well. God is not mocked. https://youtu.be/f8g95FhTsYU?si=TsucU9e3Vw2hGhmn
Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth. So Eli 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, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Sam 3:1-10, 19-20)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011426.cfm
God calls whom God wills. The call of the child Samuel reminds us that even the smallest can make a difference. I have always loved the story of the boy who heard God calling in the night. https://youtu.be/cDdniihKBzI?si=vrkfp4wWaT1lxdNq
