When Samuel was a child, God's people were spiritually asleep. Their leaders were weak, fat (1 Sm 4:18), lustful (1 Sm 2:22), greedy (1 Sm 2:14ff), and almost blind (1 Sm 3:2). "A revelation of the Lord was uncommon and vision infrequent" (1 Sm 3:1). When God would move and someone occasionally woke up, they were told to go back to sleep (1 Sm 3:6).

The Church, God's people in our time, may not be that much different than in Samuel's time. We seem to be sleepwalking. Many of our leaders are overwhelmed by the secular humanism pervading and confusing the Church. So they do nothing, even when orthodox teaching and objective morality are attacked and questioned. The Church has "put on a lot of weight" over the centuries. We have innumerable programs and meetings. We have bigger budgets than ever before. The Church has been shamed and lost much credibility because of scandals concerning sexual sin. We don't seem to be hearing God. To even talk about hearing God is suspect. The Church is in rough shape.

However, there is no need to be alarmed. The Church has been in worse shape before, and the Lord has revived it. Jesus is the Head of the Church (Eph 1:22). He is calling new Samuels to listen to Him and serve Him. Jesus will do the rest. Will you wake up, love the Church, and be a Samuel?

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 27, 2011

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