Tuning into God in the middle of the night

James Cathcart January 19, 2024 1 4

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1 Samuel 3: 1-10 (NRSVA)

1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.

2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ and he said, ‘Here I am!’ 5 and ran to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ So he went and lay down. 6 The Lord called again, ‘Samuel!’ Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call, my son; lie down again.’ 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’

From last light

to first light

over first watch

and second watch

through late shift

and into early shift

from closing time

to shutters up

we are listening out for the echoes

of divine love

leading us to more compassion.

We’re here.

Speak, Lord, for your servants are listening,

The kettle’s on.

Prayer:

Lord God,

help us to recognise your timeless words

for us in our lives

that lead us to speak truth to power

grace into brokenness

hope into despair

and love into the world.

Help us to tune in

to your persistent patient voice

that shakes us out of hypocrisy

and complacency,

hubris and cruelty

24/7

and that would have us engage our imaginations and our hearts

to greater and deeper acts of compassion

24/7

Amen.