The theme today is about vocation, about God’s call. Vocation is not just for a few chosen people; and to say, “There are no vocations now” is simply not true. Everyone is called by God to be something, to do something for others, with their life, and with their unique gifts.

The First Reading is about a young man who did not recognise God’s call at first. Samuel struggles to understand his call, but eventually, with the help of Eli, his master, he does so, and he is ready to listen to God. As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.

The Gospel is also about calling, a second calling. It is about two men who are already disciples of John the Baptist. John points Jesus out to them: ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ John knows that his role of leadership is temporary, that he is to yield to the leadership of Jesus. The disciples begin, perhaps out of curiosity, to go after Jesus. Jesus turns round and asks them: What are you looking for?

Jesus asks the same question of you and me today. Generally, we tend to think that we should be asking, What does God want? But no, he also wants to know what we’re looking for, what we want. The answer to that question is less for his benefit than for ours. Our answer will tell us what our real priorities are, with regard both to God, and to the people and the world around us.

What do we really want from life…from God? It is not such an easy question to answer. Like Samuel we need to be able to hear what God is asking of us, we need to learn to listen.