Two examples showing something in contrast – a contrast between two figures whose job it was to teach – to preach – to point out the Lord – A contrast between Eli – a priest to whom Samuel had been entrusted – and John the Baptist – the forerunner – witnessing to the Lamb of God.
For there in the time of the Judges, before King David, before Israel had a king at all – before the Temple was built, the Ark of the Covenant still housed in a tent - the Tabernacle - Samuel, as a small child was entrusted to the Lord – and was living with the high priest Eli.
And the Lord calls out to Samuel – “Samuel, Samuel” - he hears – but does not understand – and why not? On one hand, it is because “at that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD, because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet.” - Yet there is another element to this – yes, the Lord had not revealed anything to Samuel yet – but where was the one who was supposed to teach him of the Lord? For he is living with Eli – the high priest – Samuel is to be dedicated to the service of the Lord – Why was he not taught about the lord? – it is in a way simple - Eli did not teach – did not preach – did not introduce him to the Lord.
How is one to know someone if not introduced? How is someone to understand if no one teaches – As St Paul puts it in the letter to the Romans – “how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?” – God spoke and Samuel at first did not understand – for Eli failed to teach and preach. Eli failed to witness to God. – It is only by Gods extraordinary intervention that Samuel knows the Lord.
Faith does not come by default – faith does not just happen – in Greek, faith is a verb, πιστεύω, one is faithing – something which must be done – and to do it requires a teacher. No child just picks up the faith – they are taught. I frequently hear from parents and grandparents about children who no longer practice the faith. It is a sad reality, and it is impossible to say the reason in every circumstance – Jesus had twelve disciples, and one betrayed him. However, in many cases, the children who have left the faith never knew the faith – when one meets the children, often simply do not know the faith – for they were never taught. Not so much taught in a classroom, but by example, osmosis, observation of family and the world.
Parents might have dropped them off at CCD – they may have gone to Catholic Schools – and while it is easy and fair to speak of the failings over the decades of different catechetical and religious ed programs, there have been plenty, the same problem exists in places with strong programs – for no matter what a children sees in 25 hours a year a CCD, that is not the lesson that is learned - instead, it is the examples of their parents and others they trust as an example, and yes – including many priests and bishops! – A lesson that Mass is fine when it fits – but when a hockey game conflicts with Mass – the hockey game wins – when on vacation, it is not worth finding a Mass to go to. That the faith should be easy, that it should be done when it fits – that it is comfortable - but it is not worth a sacrifice – the message that faith is nice if you feel good about it – but it is not that important – as a consumer – practice if you like – but it is a mere preference. – a message that was given by the culture over the decades – a message that many have accidentally passed on by actions by many - and a message that is not too different from Eli!
However, there is another example of a preacher we can look to – that of John the Baptist – There declaring clearly – “Behold the Lamb of God – in Latin - “Ecce Angus Dei” – as seen in our window of John the Baptist – For it is John who is not living in comfort – but out in the desert living on locust and honey. A witness that demanded an answer – a witness pointing to Christ – whose whole life is point towards Christ! There is no mistaking what is most important in the life of John!
And it is by his preaching that his two disciples come to Christ – ask where he is staying – all Christ says – “Come, and you will see.” Those who are at the feet of John see Christ and follow – knowing the sacrifice it will take – unlike Samuel, who was not taught – whom God had to reach by extraordinary means – John proclaimed and witnessed – that his disciples knew the Lord – for passing on the faith requires a teacher like John, not Eli.
It might be easier and more comfortable to be like Eli – but, as Pope Benedict put it, “The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness” – We may look back and wish we could do things differently – but we cannot go back, only accept Gods mercy and look towards what we do today –we look to what is most important – in particular, the Mass – the source and summit of our faith – here were we receive the Lamb of God – body blood soul and divinity - and make it the priority – knowing that if teaching by example is where a problem came from – example is also part of the answer – Not yesterday, but Today do we make our faith a priority – when visiting family or on vacation do we make Mass central? – even if it means we miss something – a hockey game, a family breakfast – we are willing to make the sacrifice for something greater – looking towards, as John proclaims - the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.