“The Lord came and stood forth, calling … ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for thy servant hears’” (1 Sam 3:10). We should all be aware of the initial calling of the young boy Samuel, who became one of the greatest of the Old Testament prophets and was involved in the calling of Saul (the first king of Israel) and then David (after Saul lost his kingship because of his disobedience and lack of true repentance).
The Second Vatican Council document Sacrosanctum Concilium says in paragraph seven: “To accomplish so great a work, Christ is always present in His Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations. He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass, not only in the person of His minister, ‘the same now offering, through the ministry of priests, who formerly offered himself on the cross,’ but especially under the Eucharistic species. By His power He is present in the sacraments, so that when a man baptizes it is really Christ Himself who baptizes. He is present in His word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church. He is present, lastly, when the Church prays and sings, for He promised: ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Matt. 18:20).”
However, sometimes God speaks to us in extra-ordinary ways. Just days ago, a worried and concerned woman in need called me imploring our help. I have known this woman for over 10 years. She had some medical problems and underwent surgery. Unable to pay the portion she owed, her wages were garnished. She wanted help with her electric bill. I asked her to come in the office for an appointment and felt confident we would be able to help. Literally seconds later, I found myself talking to another woman who said, “Father, God told me to donate some money for someone’s electric bill!” I asked her how much and shook my head in amazement. It was the same amount needed for the woman’s electric bill mentioned above.
You might wonder what the second woman was doing when she heard the voice of God as the young Samuel did. When reading the beginning part of First Samuel, we learn that the boy Samuel was in the temple of the Lord, not far from the Ark of the Covenant. It was the arc that contained the stone tablets where the word of the Lord was inscribed. The woman mentioned above, who heard God’s voice was in a church (temple) in front of the tabernacle (arc) which contains the Word made Flesh, which is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. He is the one who said, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40).
This is not the first time something like this has happened. For example, when we have a particular need we start praying and before long someone comes forth who has been inspired by God and is the instrument by which God answers our particular prayer intention. I would like to thank not only the woman mentioned above who answered God’s call but all of our donors who daily answer God’s calling through the Holy Spirit, the real and only reason we are able to help Jesus who is present in the poor and needy.
