Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Jan. 15, 2006
BCP: 1 Sam. 3:1-10 (11-20), Psalm 63:1-8, 1 Cor. 6:11b-20, John 1:43-51
RCL: 1 Sam. 3:1-10 (11-20), Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17, 1 Cor. 6:12-20, John 1:43-51
We tend to idealize heroes of ages past. We mistakenly think of them as always grasping their focus more clearly than we. On the contrary, the great witnesses of the faith had their moments of confusion and hesitation.
Samuel does not understand who is calling him. He thinks Eli is summoning him. Samuel does not get it the first time, or the second. Only the third time, with Eli’s help, is he more focused. It is not that he was rejecting the call. He was just fumbling around in the wrong place. Many of us can relate to Samuel. How long was it before we were able to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Sam. 3:10)? Discerning a call is usually not a private venture but a journey in community. Samuel was finally able to get on track because his mentor Eli pointed out the way. Up to that point he simply could not reach clarity on his own.
Then there is Nathanael, a much more skeptical person than Samuel. Philip tells him about Jesus. Nathanael isn’t going to run off after every lark. He says sarcastically, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). He hesitates. Who cannot relate to Nathanael the hesitator? With Nathanael in mind, we can say we hesitate with the best. But let’s go all the way and also relate to the restless seeker. Let’s relate to the one who discerns in community. It is Philip who prods him to “Come and see” (John 1:46). He did not find his way alone.
Only after Jesus mentions to him that he saw him under the fig tree did Nathanael recognize his call and follow Jesus. There has been much speculation about what mysterious thing he was doing under the fig tree. More to the point is what we are doing under the fig tree.
Look It Up
Check out the scriptures that speak of the call — and hesitancy — of other great pioneers of faith such as Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, or Ezekiel.
Think About It
Others in community have assisted us in discerning our call. Who in our lives has played the role of Eli or Philip?
Next Sunday
Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Jan. 22, 2006
BCP: Jer. 3:21-4:2, Psalm 130, 1 Cor. 7:17-23, Mark 1:14-20
RCL: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:6-14; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20
