Prayer and Discernment

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to experience the power of prayer to inspire our contemplation and guide our response to the events of our lives.

Prayer in a "Thin Place"

The Reading from the First Book of Samuel presents the Revelation to Samuel prior to his being Acknowledged as Prophet.

* [3:2–18] The call of Samuel: This section may be divided as follows: 1. the triple summons (vv. 2–9); 2. God’s revelation (vv. 10–14); 3. Samuel informs Eli (vv. 15–18).

* [3:3] Not yet extinguished: referring to the nighttime setting of this narrative (cf. Ex 27:20–21) and foreshadowing a permanently extinguished lamp when the ark is captured and Shiloh destroyed.

* [3:14] Lv 4:3–12 presents another view: the offering of a bull can expiate priestly sin. (1 Samuel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 40 exhorts us to open and enthusiastic proclamation of salvation.

* [Psalm 40] A thanksgiving (Ps 40:2–13) has been combined with a lament (Ps 40:14–17) that appears also in Ps 70. The psalmist describes the rescue in spatial terms—being raised up from the swampy underworld to firm earth where one can praise God (Ps 40:2–4). All who trust God will experience like protection (Ps 40:5–6)! The Psalm stipulates the precise mode of thanksgiving: not animal sacrifice but open and enthusiastic proclamation of the salvation just experienced (Ps 40:7–11). A prayer for protection concludes (Ps 40:12–17). (Psalms, PSALM 40 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark presents the Cure of Simon’s Mother-in-Law and Other Healings prior to Jesus Leaving Capernaum.

* [1:21–45] The account of a single day’s ministry of Jesus on a sabbath in and outside the synagogue of Capernaum (Mk 1:21–31) combines teaching and miracles of exorcism and healing. Mention is not made of the content of the teaching but of the effect of astonishment and alarm on the people. Jesus’ teaching with authority, making an absolute claim on the hearer, was in the best tradition of the ancient prophets, not of the scribes. The narrative continues with events that evening (Mk 1:32–34; see notes on Mt 8:14–17) and the next day (Mk 1:35–39). The cleansing in Mk 1:40–45 stands as an isolated story.

* [1:23] An unclean spirit: so called because of the spirit’s resistance to the holiness of God. The spirit knows and fears the power of Jesus to destroy his influence; cf. Mk 1:32, 34; 3:11; 6:13.

* [1:24–25] The Holy One of God: not a confession but an attempt to ward off Jesus’ power, reflecting the notion that use of the precise name of an opposing spirit would guarantee mastery over him. Jesus silenced the cry of the unclean spirit and drove him out of the man.

* [1:24] What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4. (Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Jeremy Graney reflects on an earlier time in his life, where much of his spirituality was rooted with the Benedictines. St. Benedict opens their rule with the instruction to “Listen carefully” and “attend with the ear of your heart.”

There is a lot of listening in today’s readings, Samuel is not listening deep enough and mistakes the Lord’s voice with Eli’s. They are not listening with the “ear of their heart.” Listening, but not hearing. The psalm has us all responding, “Here am I.” We could turn this phrase to “Hear I am” I hear you, Lord, and am responding. Responding to you, like sheep hearing the voice of their shepherd or children hearing their parent’s voice cut through the noise. I listen for you with the ear of my heart.

Listening, for me, is discerning. Am I hearing the message beyond the words or emotions that carry it? Am I listening in that space of grace between myself and God. Am I doing God’s will? (Graney, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “The habit of prayer,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"Jesus prayed and did not pray in vain, since he received what he asked for in prayer when he might have done so without prayer. If so, who among us would neglect to pray? Mark says that 'in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed' (Mark 1:35). And Luke says, 'He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray,"' (Luke 11:1) and elsewhere, 'And all night he continued in prayer to God' (Luke 6:12). And John records his prayer, saying, 'When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you"' (John 17:1). The same Evangelist writes that the Lord said that he knew 'you hear me always' (John 11:42). All this shows that the one who prays always is always heard." (excerpt from ON PRAYER 13.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20 comments that God wants us to live in community with one another. He wants us to be open to each other’s words of encouragement, even as he wants us to be free to encourage them. In other words, he wants us all to be willing to share about our spiritual lives with one another.

God didn’t create us to live as anonymous, isolated believers. He wants us to develop relationships that mirror the love that exists between the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. He wants us to treat each other with the same openness and care that the apostles learned as they grew closer to Jesus. May we all grow together in love so that we can all grow together in Christ!

“Jesus, teach me how to share spiritual companionship with the people you have put in my life.” (Meditation on 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments 1 Samuel tells of Hannah and her prayer to the Lord for a son, Samuel, who is with the priest Eli who realizes God is calling Samuel. “Speak Lord your servant is listening” And Samuel is commissioned to the role of a servant of God. Jesus is in Capernam where scholars suggest the Gospel contains perhaps eyewitness testimony of Peter to Mark. The fever of Simon’s mother in law is healed and as a good Jewish mother and an expression of gratitude. Jesus after prayer is to proclaim the Good News to all the villages to end the reign of Satan.

Cherokee theologian and CAC guest faculty member Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley considers how creation’s goodness includes diversity, balance, and harmony. God’s shalom, which is holistic peace and harmony, is discovered through the interconnectedness of all creation.

From God’s purview there is an interconnectedness of all God has made. All things are designed and created beautifully by their Creator. Each part of the created whole bears the mark of its Creator. Each element works in relationship with all the others. Each ingredient is connected through its common origin and, together, all share a common location in the universe; and when God is finished with creation there is a pause on the seventh day. Not a pause as if to look back and second-guess, but an intentional pause to celebrate the way it is. The Aboriginal Rainbow Elders in Australia say the Creator sang on the seventh day. The meaning is like that of a gathering or a community “get-together” where celebration is the only priority. The celebration is a party because everything is harmonious as it was meant to be. This is God’s shalom creation party. Though told in slightly different ways, many indigenous peoples around the world are able to recognize this story, and this pause, as the Harmony Way…. (Woodley, n.d.)

We pause to attend to the prompting of the Spirit that guides our daily Way and reveals our connection to Creation.

References

Graney, J. (2026, January 14). Daily Reflection January 14, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved January 14, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-14-2026 

Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/1?29 

Meditation on 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 14, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/14/1479966/ 

1 Samuel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/3?1 

Psalms, PSALM 40 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/40?2 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Healed Many Who Were Sick. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 14, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Woodley, R. (n.d.). A Harmonious Goodness. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 14, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-harmonious-goodness/ 

Thanksgiving and Healing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to give thanks for all the healing we have known in our community and resolve to follow the prompting of the Spirit to be a support to those in need.

Community Healing

The reading from the Letter to the Colossians opens with a Pauline thanks to God for the Colossians.

* [1:1–2] For the epistolary form used by Paul at the beginning of his letters, see note on Rom 1:1–7. On holy ones or “God’s people,” see note on Rom 1:7. Awareness of their calling helps this group to be faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, i.e., dedicated to the tasks implied in their calling.

* [1:3–8] On thanksgiving at the start of a letter, see note on Rom 1:8. The apostle, recalling his own prayers for them and the good report about them he has received (Col 1:3–4), congratulates the Colossians upon their acceptance of Christ and their faithful efforts to live the gospel (Col 3:6–8). To encourage them he mentions the success of the gospel elsewhere (Col 1:6) and assures them that his knowledge of their community is accurate, since he has been in personal contact with Epaphras (Col 1:7–8), who likely had evangelized Colossae and other cities in the Lycus Valley of Asia Minor (cf. Col 4:12, 13; Phlm 23). On faith, love, and hope (Col 1:4, 5, 8), see note on 1 Cor 13:13; cf. 1 Thes 1:3; 5:8.

* [1:7] Epaphras: now with Paul but a Colossian, founder of the church there. (Colossians, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)

Psalm 52 declares Judgement on the Deceitful.

* [Psalm 52] A condemnation of the powerful and arrogant (Ps 52:3–6), who bring down upon themselves God’s judgment (Ps 52:7). The just, those who trust in God alone, are gladdened and strengthened by the downfall of their traditional enemies (Ps 52:8–9).

* [52:10] Like an olive tree: the righteous will flourish in the house of God like a well-watered olive tree, cf. Ps 92:14; 128:3. (Psalms, PSALM 52 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus heals at Simon’s House and preaches in the Synagogues.

* [4:31–44] The next several incidents in Jesus’ ministry take place in Capernaum and are based on Luke’s source, Mk 1:21–39. To the previous portrait of Jesus as prophet (Lk 4:16–30) they now add a presentation of him as teacher (Lk 4:31–32), exorcist (Lk 4:32–37, 41), healer (Lk 4:38–40), and proclaimer of God’s kingdom (Lk 4:43).

* [4:34] What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4. Have you come to destroy us?: the question reflects the current belief that before the day of the Lord control over humanity would be wrested from the evil spirits, evil destroyed, and God’s authority over humanity reestablished. The synoptic gospel tradition presents Jesus carrying out this task.

* [4:38] The house of Simon: because of Luke’s arrangement of material, the reader has not yet been introduced to Simon (cf. Mk 1:16–18, 29–31). Situated as it is before the call of Simon (Lk 5:1–11), it helps the reader to understand Simon’s eagerness to do what Jesus says (Lk 5:5) and to follow him (Lk 5:11).

* [4:41] They knew that he was the Messiah: that is, the Christ (see note on Lk 2:11).

* [4:42] They tried to prevent him from leaving them: the reaction of these strangers in Capernaum is presented in contrast to the reactions of those in his hometown who rejected him (Lk 4:28–30).

* [4:44] In the synagogues of Judea: instead of Judea, which is the best reading of the manuscript tradition, the Byzantine text tradition and other manuscripts read “Galilee,” a reading that harmonizes Luke with Mt 4:23 and Mk 1:39. Up to this point Luke has spoken only of a ministry of Jesus in Galilee. Luke may be using Judea to refer to the land of Israel, the territory of the Jews, and not to a specific portion of it. (Luke, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)

Barbara Dilly asks, wouldn't it be great if we as individual Christians and particularly as members of Christian churches could be known by our faith in Christ Jesus in the way that Paul and Timothy heard about the brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae?

It seems that we should be about the same purpose for which Jesus was sent.  We must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.  Like Jesus, we should heal the sick, feed the poor, care for the elderly, as well as teach and rebuke in the work of our churches.  Yet, it seems to me that this must all come out of a central calling to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God.  Any secular agency can take care of people’s earthly needs, but that is not enough to transform the world.  We should be known, not for how many programs we have, not for how big our church is and how beautiful is the artwork.  All these things are necessary and good, but they are not sufficient if we are not known for our faith in Christ Jesus and the love in the Spirit that we have for each other and all God’s people.  It isn’t enough if we don’t exhibit trust in the mercy of God to the extent that we work to bring glad tidings to the poor and proclaim liberty to the captives.  Otherwise, we are just another non-profit organization.  Our calling as Christians is greater.  We must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God! So, how are we known?  What do people say about us? (Dilly, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus the Chief Physician,” by Jerome (347-420 AD).

"'Now Simon's mother-in-law was kept in her bed sick with a fever.' May Christ come to our house and enter in and by his command cure the fever of our sins. Each one of us is sick with a fever. Whenever I give way to anger, I have a fever. There are as many fevers as there are faults and vices. Let us beg the apostles to intercede for us with Jesus, that he may come to us and touch our hand. If he does so, at once our fever is gone. He is an excellent physician and truly the chief Physician. Moses is a physician. Isaiah is a physician. All the saints are physicians, but he is the chief Physician." (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF MARK 75.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 4:38-44 comments that through his death and resurrection, Jesus has made it possible for us to be closer to God than ever. God has “seated us . . . in the heavens in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). Through Baptism, we have been made sons and daughters of God. And our heavenly Father loves it when his children come to him to pray for the people and situations on their hearts.

Remember, you are God’s beloved child, and he has poured out his Holy Spirit on you. Your prayers are more powerful than you might think! They could make the difference for someone who is poor, lonely, or suffering from illness. You can’t be certain of exactly how God will answer your prayers, of course. But you can be assured that no prayer is ever wasted.

“Lord, help me to approach you with faith and confidence and to know in my heart that you hear my every prayer!” (Meditation on Luke 4:38-44, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler refers to the Thanksgiving and the mention of Epaphras as Pauline elements in the letter but references to things not yet developed tend to the conclusion that the letter was authored by a disciple of Paul. In the ancient world, this writing in the name of another was quite acceptable. Friar Jude reminds us of the message of Luke in describing Jesus' decision to bring His message to all people.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the essence of the prophetic task is to articulate a vision of the common good that has the power to capture the imagination of the people as a goal worthy of struggle and sacrifice.

Deep mourning over the social conditions that make people poor may be the first step we non-poor can take to internalize the beatitudes: “Blessed are you who are now weeping; you shall laugh” [Luke 6:21]. Mourning implies a terrible sense of loss, of regret, an acknowledgment of the real, and a feeling of pain in the face of that reality. Weeping and mourning emerge from our affective side and are profoundly healthy emotions for those of us who are more privileged, who will never fully share the lot of those who are impoverished by the system that creates our wealth, but who at least can weep over the tragedy of human suffering. Emotions help describe us as whole people and, if joined with righteous indignation at the injustices that cause marginalization, can lead us toward a relinquishment of the power and privilege that maintain injustice, and toward a solidarity with those who are poor in their claim on justice. (Rohr, 2023)

We are thankful for our relationship with Christ through which we are gifted with the mission to live the Beatitudes in our community.

References

Colossians, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/colossians/1?1 

Dilly, B. (2023, September 6). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/090623.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?38 

Meditation on Luke 4:38-44. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/09/06/776474/ 

Psalms, PSALM 52 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/52?10 

Rohr, R. (2023, September 6). The Call to Change Sides — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-call-to-change-sides-2023-09-06/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Laid His Hands on Every One and Healed Them. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 6, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=sep6