“Samuel, Samuel!” “John, John!” “Mary, Mary!” “Moses, Moses!” “Peter, Peter!” “Martha, Martha!”
God calls, but do we always listen and respond? In today’s homily we hear the story of God calling to Samuel in the night. It took two times before Samuel got the message that it was God calling and not Eli. On the third attempt God finally got through to Samuel.
How do you respond to God’s call? Are you giving God the silent treatment? When you listen, are you listening as Samuel, or as John, or as Mary, or as Moses, or as Peter, or as Martha?
Click the arrow below; watch, listen, and respond to God’s gentle voice and his loving command. You can read the text of Fr. Michael’s poem “God’s Gentle Gaze of Love” by scrolling below the video.
God’s Gentle Gaze of Love
by J. Michael Sparough, SJ
Lover of my soul, Who desires only what is good,
Draw me into Your healing gaze,
For I squirm before the fear of facing You, of hearing You,
Of being seen and known such as I am.
Speak, Lord, when Your servant is too busy to listen!
For I cannot stop – No, I refuse to stop my commotion
In motion wrought by an overly busy brain.
Yes, my eternal soul longs to rest in Your radiance,
And yet I resist You, Lord of my longing,
Choosing familiar habits, well trod paths,
Short cut choices that wed me to —
Perpetual pain in a game with no gain.
Please speak, Lord, Your servant must learn to listen!
Stop me grace-fully, Lord!
Open my ears to the song of Your Voice,
Redirect my gaze from myself to Yourself,
From my thiefdom to Your kingdom,
From who I am to who You create me to become.
Please speak, Lord, Your servant is praying to listen!
Bend my will away from my rejections and projections
To Your oh-so- gentle persuasions.
Draw me to rest in Your gaze, naked without shame,
To trust in Your call and accept my wholly imperfection,
Being seen – known – called gently by my name,
Forever loved – by You!
Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening!
Michael,
What an amazing poem. It truly speaks to me.
Thank you for your gift of eloquence and grace in your words.
Blessings..