Open Ears Can Bring New Beginnings
A new beginning is something we all hear a lot about throughout January, whether it is a new habit we are trying to start, a new goal we are trying to make, or just generally a new year. To me, the readings today speak of two slightly different kinds of new beginnings. In fact, we see two very important beginnings for Catholics that both started with small simple actions.
The first is the calling of Samuel, where in the dead of night Samuel is called by God and chooses to rise up and respond. This marks the beginning of Samuel’s prophetic life, during which he anoints David to be the future king of the nation of Israel. David, whose actions ultimately lead to the unification of the twelve distinct Israelite tribes into one unified nation, was also the founder of the House of David, which eventually Jesus was born into.
As we move forward in time to the Gospel, we are presented with a second beginning. In the Gospel of John, Jesus begins his mission of creating the church by first gathering the twelve men who would become the apostles. These are the men who would eventually go on to form the Catholic Church. Today specifically we hear about Simon, whom we now know as Peter, and who went on, of course, to become the very first Pope of the Church.
I personally find it comforting to think that these literal world-changing events not only had a beginning, but that those beginnings were actually quite simple in their origins. Both Samuel and Peter’s experiences were the result, as it says in the responsorial psalm, of having their “ears open to obedience,” of being called by God, and then of choosing to respond with their own actions. I find myself wanting to conclude with the question, “What new beginnings am I being called by God to this year, and how can I respond?”
–Jon Taylor
Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.