The Second Sunday after the Epiphany; January 15, 2006 Readings: 1 Samuel 3:1-10; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 6:11b-20; John 1:43-51.   The Rev. Dr. Hilary B. Smith Companions for the Journey Go and listen. Come and see. Eli tells Samuel to go and listen for God to speak. Philip invites Nathanial to come and see if anything good can come out of Nazareth. In both instances, one person asks another to be open but does not tell him what to believe. They do not tell the person what to think or to believe; rather they respect the fact that the God can have a direct relationship the other-that God might have a special way of relating to others that is different from their experience. Both Eli and Philip knew something about God, but they did not know everything about God. Jesus finds Philip. Jesus calls him to follow. Philip finds Nathanial and tells him about Jesus. Nathanial responds with resistance. "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip says to him, "Come and see." Philip does not try to answer Nathanial's question. Instead, Philip encourages him to see for himself. Come and see. These simple words contain an essential truth about the life of faith. God's call to each one of us is distinctive. God's relationship with each one of us is special. I cannot tell you what God is calling you to do or to be. You must be the one to seek the answers. We can advise each other and guide each other based on our general understanding of life and faith. The story of Eli and Samuel gives us an outstanding example of how others can help us discern God's voice and hear God's call. Samuel hears a voice calling him. He is young, confused, and unfamiliar with the ways of God. How does he learn to hear God's call to him? Eli has some insight. Eli advises Samuel that this might be God's voice calling him. Eli encourages Samuel to listen for God and then to respond. Because of Eli, Samuel is able to take the next step with God. But notice that Eli did not try to explain the purpose of God's call to Samuel. How could he? The truth that God told to Samuel was not one that Eli knew or wanted to hear. Just as Philip suggests that Nathaniel "come and see," Eli advises Samuel to "go and listen." God calls each one of us. Everyone is chosen. Everyone is called. Everyone is challenged to discern what God's call might be. The call of God is one that changes and develops during our lives so in a sense we are always in the process of discernment. The call never ends; it is not limited to what our employment might be. Of course, some people's main call from God has little to do with their job. Even at the end of our days, when our activity maybe limited, even then God will be with us, calling us in some way, bringing us close. What does it mean to say that each one of us is called? It means that our lives have purpose; each one of us is important of our common life. Each one of us is called to partner with God-to be a co-creator with God. There is no end to the possibilities of what that ministry may be. As people of faith, people seeking faith, people of a community of faith, all that we do can have the character of ministry. It used to be that words like vocation and calling were reserved for the clergy. Thankfully those days are over. The ministry of the church is a shared ministry. Our successes are shared successes, and our challenges are shared challenges. In her book, The Dream of God: The Call to Return, Verna Dozier speaks of ministry with these words: "…the church is the people of God. It takes two forms, the church gathered and the church scattered. We gather to break bread as a community, to hear our story, and to recommit ourselves to the dream of God. We scatter to live into that dream. It is the task of the church, the people of God, to minister within the structures of society. It is the role of the church, the institution, to support that ministry." (Italics mine. Quoted in The New Church's Teaching Series, vol. 5, Fredrica Harris Thompsett, Living With History, 1999, p. 57.) The dream of God includes us all. We are all called. God calls us, whether in the quiet of the night as with Samuel, or in the middle of our daily activities, as with Nathanial. No one can tell you what that call is for you. Others can help point us in the right direction; they can invite us to "go and listen" or "come and see." In the end, we will be the ones to decide what this journey of faith is all about for us-what God's call is about, and who God is for us. Does the call lead us deeper into Christian community? Does the call bring us into new relationships? Does God's word to us require a departure from a current focus, or a recommitment to something or someone? If all this seems a bit mysterious, remember that God's call comes to us in the context of our lives. The people in our lives now, the situations that we find ourselves in –all of this is the context for God's call and connection with us in life. What is it around you that demands your attention? What is it within you that longs to find expression? The answers to such questions may be part of God's call to you. "Come and see." "Go and listen." Amen.