St Thomas Aquinas in his book "The Ways of God" writes of the bounty of God: "God communicates to creatures all the good that in its essence is communicable and that they have the capacity to receive, and does this continuously, as soon as they allow Him to give it."

In today's reading from the Book of Samuel, we see Hannah taunted for her barrenness. Even her husband does not understand her plight. In her desperation, she has "the capacity to receive" as Aquinas puts it. This is her openness to God, a state essential for communication from God. God's divine goodness witholds nothing if one is willing to appeal to Him. Hannah is more than willing to throw herself upon God's generosity and discretion.

In the Gospel Reading, we see the other side of the coin. God is ready to give of His goodness to all who are receptive, but the willingness to respond to God's generosity is a requirement. Such response is to do what Simon and Andrew, James and John did. They answered unhesitatingly the call of Jesus to follow Him. Thomas Aquinas says, "We should give all that we possess of spiritual or temporal goods" and this is what they did. They renounced their livelihood and their family ties.

Accepting Christian discipleship is acknowledging the presence and power of God and of God's bounty in one's life.