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/ 

Invitation and Encounter

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to consider our response to the invitation of Christ to encounter Him in our service of His brothers and sisters who we meet daily.

Encounter in Service

In the reading from the Letter to the Ephesians, Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles is described.

* [3:1–13] Paul reflects on his mission to the Gentiles. He alludes to his call and appointment to the apostolic office (Eph 3:2–3) and how his insight through revelation, as well as that of the other apostles and charismatic prophets in the church (Eph 3:4–5), has deepened understanding of God’s plan of salvation in Christ. Paul is the special herald (Eph 3:7) of a new promise to the Gentiles (Eph 3:6): that the divine plan includes them in the spiritual benefits promised to Israel. Not only is this unique apostolic role his; Paul also has been given the task of explaining to all the divine plan of salvation (Eph 3:8–9), once hidden. Through the church, God’s plan to save through Christ is becoming manifest to angelic beings (Eph 3:10; cf. Eph 1:21), in accord with God’s purpose (Eph 3:11). The fulfillment of the plan in Christ gives the whole church more confidence through faith in God (Eph 3:12). The readers of this letter are also thereby encouraged to greater confidence despite Paul’s imprisonment (Eph 3:13).

* [3:1] A prisoner of Christ: see Introduction. Paul abruptly departs from his train of thought at the end of Eph 3:1 leaving an incomplete sentence.

* [3:2] Stewardship: the Greek is the same term employed at Eph 1:10 for the plan that God administers (Col 1:25) and in which Paul plays a key role.

* [3:3–4] The mystery: God’s resolve to deliver Gentiles along with Israel through Christ; cf. notes on Eph 1:10; 3:9.

* [3:9] [For all]: while some think this phrase was added so as to yield the sense “to enlighten all about the plan…,” it is more likely that some manuscripts and Fathers omitted it accidentally or to avoid the idea that all conflicted with Paul’s assignment to preach to the Gentiles (Eph 3:8) specifically.

* [3:10] Principalities and authorities: see note on Eph 1:15–23 regarding Eph 3:21. (Ephesians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

The response from the Prophet Isaiah proclaims that God is my salvation.

* [12:1–6] Israel’s thanksgiving to the Lord, expressed in language like that of the Psalms. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches the parable of the Faithful or the Unfaithful Servant.

* [12:35–48] This collection of sayings relates to Luke’s understanding of the end time and the return of Jesus. Luke emphasizes for his readers the importance of being faithful to the instructions of Jesus in the period before the parousia.

* [12:45] My master is delayed in coming: this statement indicates that early Christian expectations for the imminent return of Jesus had undergone some modification. Luke cautions his readers against counting on such a delay and acting irresponsibly. Cf. the similar warning in Mt 24:48. (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Andy Alexander, S.J. (2008) comments that in all of the defining moments of our lives, Jesus is there coming to meet us with the offer of grace, with the gift of freedom, with the loving encounter that calls us to be our most loving and self-sacrificing selves. He simply asks us to be ready to meet him at the time he comes to us today. 

Lord, open our hearts today and every day to receive your gifts of freedom and to encounter you in the many people you place in our lives, in the many choices which can bring us closer to you. Free us to love more freely to say "yes" more completely, to think of the needs of others first and to know what is the right choice. Liberate us from the seduction of power, the deadly grip of anger or judgment, and the debilitating trap of fear. Let us come to life each day as you prepare us for eternal life with you. And, on that day you come to bring us home, grant us the grace of loving family and friends to support us as we surrender to your love completely in our final Amen. (Alexander, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “God's great promise for faithful and wise servants,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).

"'Blessed is the servant whom the Lord will find so doing when he comes. A great promise is extended to the Lord's faithful and wise stewards. It is like the promise he made to those to whom he said, 'Take authority over five cities' or 'take authority over ten cities' (Luke 19:17-19). For to be made the head 'over all his possessions' is nothing other than to be made an 'heir of God and coheir with Christ' (Romans 8:17) and to reign with Christ. The Father has given him everything he himself possesses, as Christ said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me' (Matthew 28:18). The Son of the good Father who is given authority over all his Father's possessions also shares this honor and glory with his faithful and wise stewards, so they also might be with Christ above every creature and authority. This is what he meant when he said, 'Truly I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.'" (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 62) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 12:39-48 comments that Jesus uses this parable to help his disciples understand how to prepare for his own return in glory. But notice that the master in the parable praises “the faithful and prudent steward” who is working “to distribute the food allowance” when the master returns (Luke 12:42). The master is pleased because the steward is distributing food to the other servants. He is pleased to find his servant taking care of people. That’s his job.

So what might this food allowance be? Think about the grace that God has given to you—the gifts, the insights, the talents, even your possessions. That’s what he’s asking you to share.

All around you there are hungry people. They may be hungry for physical food or hungry for love, yearning for God’s mercy or longing for his presence. God has placed them in your life so that you can “feed [his] sheep” (John 21:17). He wants you to care for them as the steward in the parable does. He asks you to give generously: of your time, your love, your faith, and—yes—your resources. As he told his disciples at another time, “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give” (Matthew 10:8). 

Do you want to know how to be ready for Jesus’ return? It’s simple: live a life of generosity in his name. Let the needs of others soften your heart so that you can give to them just as freely as Jesus has given to you.

“Lord, show me how, when, and where to distribute the ‘food’ you have given me.” (Meditation on Luke 12:39-48, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes how the author of the passage from Ephesians celebrates the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles as co-heirs. This differs from the expression of Paul that difference with Gentiles is no longer important because we are “One Body in Christ”. Friar Jude reminds us that Luke understands that salvation is now when we encounter Christ and there will be an accounting of our response as shown in our actions.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that contemplation cultivates an ability to discern right action. Dutch priest and author Henri Nouwen (1932–1996) views discernment as a gift that comes from our intimacy with God. 

I can see no other way for discernment than a life in the Spirit, a life of unceasing prayer and contemplation, a life of deep communion with the Spirit of God. Such a life will slowly develop in us an inner sensitivity, enabling us to distinguish between the law of the flesh [ego] and the law of the Spirit [soul]. We certainly will make constant errors and seldom have the purity of heart required to make the right decisions all the time. But when we continually try to live in the Spirit, we at least will be willing to confess our weakness and limitations in all humility, trusting in the one who is greater than our hearts. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to guide us as we open the invitation of God to be one in the Body and prepare for encountering Christ in our action.

References

Alexander, A. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102324.html 

Ephesians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/3?2 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/12?2 

Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12? 

Meditation on Luke 12:39-48. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/23/1111379/ 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Discerning God’s Will. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/discerning-gods-will/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Be Ready to Answer - the Lord Draws Near. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct23