'Speak Lord, your servant is listening.' This is advice meant for us all. Today there are so many distractions: cell phones, iPods, TV, and so on. They are useful things, but sometimes they can take us away from ourselves and from God. Samuel at first thinks that Eli is calling him, and Eli is convinced that he is dreaming. 'Go back to bed' is his command, but he soon realizes that God is calling Samuel. It is only when he accepts the presence of God and listens that God is able to communicate fully with him. And so it is with us. God is willing to communicate with anyone who is willing to listen with an open and accepting heart and mind. Perhaps it will not be in so dramatic a manner as this story, but our own feelings, intuitions, and daily experience will guide and enlighten us.

Disease, pain and inner struggle can make people desperate. With his healings Jesus gave many people in this village hope and he was overwhelmed by their misery and pain. This experience drove him off alone to spend the night in prayer. When the apostles told him that everyone was looking for him, he announced that they must be on their way. For, He was sent to proclaim the good news to the entire people, and there were still many villages to visit. He had to focus on the greater good and the will of God. But as Mother Teresa said many times, it is better to do small things with great love.