9/18/20 - Friday Forget-Me-Nots by Jim Silcott

Photo Caption: Mr. Prater in authentic union Civil War Garb showing soldier artifacts to Grade 7.

Dear Our Lady of Peace Family:

Just like a lot of cable news programs my prayer life at times has me do all of the talking. Talking, begging, asking, negotiating, pleading and making deals with God. But listening to what He has to say back to me? There are days that I fail to avail myself of any opportunity to keep quiet and give Him a chance to talk to me!

When I was younger the former spiritual director at the Josephenium, Father Al Krupp, introduced me to the First Book of Samuel, Chapter 3. Samuel is a young man living in the temple with Eli. One night he awakens to someone calling him and, thinking it is his boss, Eli, he goes to him to ask what he wants. Eli has been asleep and tells Samuel that he did not call him. Samuel goes back to bed and once again hears himself being summoned. Who else would want me in the middle of the night, he thinks, but Eli, so once again he goes to Eli’s room to ask what he wants. Eli, a little exasperated tells him to go back to his room! On the third trip back to Eli’s room, sure that he has been summoned, Samuel is told by Eli, who has figured out what is going on, that the next time he hears himself being called Samuel should reply, “Speak Lord, Your servant is listening.” For Eli knew that it was God with a message for the young man. Samuel did as he was told and the Lord spoke to him in what was to start a life long relationship. Samuel grew to be a great leader and prophet.

 Just to be clear, I have never heard the “voice” of God like a telephone call or ghostly visit. God has not sent me a friend request or text message. But when I have taken the time not simply to drone on and one about what I want from Him and listen to him calling me and hear what He has to say I find that He does indeed speak volumes to me and for me.

If we listen to God we can understand our purpose in life. The word “vocation” comes from the Latin meaning “to call. Although we have free will and can ignore God’s call but each of must understand how uniquely different God made us and what unique talents He gave each of us towards the building of His Kingdom. If we don’t listen for that calling or choose to ignore His message we can’t contribute to that building and the whole world is made weaker by our refusal.

I believe that I was called to be principal at Our Lady of Peace. It is not because I am the world’s best principal, far from it, or that I am irreplaceable; nonsense. Nonetheless, I feel that this is where I am supposed to be right now, helping in whatever way I can. What God has in store for me down the road is a mystery. But like all of us, I must keep my ears and mind open and continue to reply, “Speak, Lord Your servant is listening.”

How do we know when God speaks to us? Like any relationship it takes work and it takes practice and it takes listening as much if not more than it does talking. It takes patience and developing a prayer life that is daily and consistent. I don’t know all of the theological ins and outs. I only know, for me, when I have taken the time, God has spoken to me, God has advised me, and God has pointed to how I can be of service to my family, my community and Him.

God also speaks to me, indeed to all of us, through Scripture. Again I don’t think it is magical like those black plastic 8 balls that you shake and watch an answer appear on the bottom. But if you read it regularly, or even just take the time during Mass to really listen to the readings, you will hear the voice of God speak directly to you.

Will I actually see the face of God like in the old George Burns movie, “Oh God,” or hear an actual voice as Samuel did? Probably not until I am called home. When I first heard about Samuel I was just about his age. Now I am probably older than Eli. One of my many tasks as principal is to help our students to listen for God’s patient and wise voice to help them achieve their destiny. In that way I can continue to help build His Kingdom even after my days are done.

Jim Silcott