Ordinary 2

The Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

_{1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20; John 1:35-42}

For a singer there is nothing more important than finding a good accompanist. An accompanist is more than just someone who can play the piano well. A true accompanist is sensitive to what the singer is doing, breathes with the singer, anticipates the singer, and can feel when the singer stretches or pushes the beat. Though the accompanist and singer become partners in making something together, the accompanist is in a supportive role, subtly embellishing the beauty of the song and allowing the singer to shine.

Accompaniment is a humble way of being a helpful part of another person’s journey. The accompanist is not controlling the journey but neither is she a passive bystander.

Consider Jesus saddling up to the two disciples walking home to Emmaus. He drew near and walked with them. Jesus doesn’t lead but walks alongside the two disciples. He poses questions.

“What are you discussing as you walk along?”

“What sort of things?”

“Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” [Luke 24:13ff]

These questions open up a conversation, a give and take between the three of them. In this conversation, Jesus guides the disciples to discern the mystery of God in the crucifixion, which allows them to experience his resurrection.

Before Ulysses embarks on his epic voyage for the Trojan War, he entrusts his son Telemachus to the care and direction of his old and trusted friend, Mentor, to guide and advise his son.

We see this art of spiritual accompaniment happening for the Ethiopian court official in the Acts of the Apostles [Acts 8:26ff]. Urged by the Spirit, Philip runs and catches up to the chariot of the eunuch who is reading the prophet Isaiah. Philip engages, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The response, “I beg you, about whom is the prophet saying this? About himself, or about someone else?” The door is opened and Philip proclaims Jesus to the Ethiopian.

Recall Jesus in his night conversation with Nicodemus or at the well with the woman from Samaria. Jesus engages. Accompanies. Walks with these people not ahead of them. Jesus accepts them for where they are in life with their life’s messiness and questions.

In each case, whether the disciples of Emmaus, the woman of Samaria, Nicodemus, or the Ethiopian eunuch, all are guided how to discern an unseen world of Spirit and encounter God.

This is what is happening with the young boy Samuel. Out of gratitude, Hannah leaves her son in the service of the Lord under the care of the priest, Eli. Eli guides Samuel in how to recognize the voice of God and then how to respond. “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

The spiritual life was never meant to be walked alone. In fact, it can’t be experienced alone. That is why Christianity emphasizes the communal over the individual, while our culture empathizes the individual over the communal. The spiritual journey happens in the midst of community and relationship, engagement, and accompaniment. Apart from these, a person is alone, the prevailing mark of our culture.

Spiritual accompaniment presumes that a person has encountered Jesus Christ. Possesses wisdom and insight. Is an attentive listener. A spiritual mentor often happens by chance or, might we say, God’s providence. A person can seek out, what is called, a spiritual director, a venerable, wise companion that has a place of honour in our Christian tradition. Often this relationship is inter-generational as we see between Samuel and Eli.

While family passes on our beliefs, forms of prayer and traditions, spiritual mentoring is walking with someone, like Eli, to discern God’s presence and their call in life.

The biblical questions are therefore relevant:

“What are you discussing as you walk along?”

“Do you understand what you are reading?”

“What are you looking for?” What are you looking for in life, from life, from yourself, from others…

Then the invitation: “Come, and you will see.”

An invitation which demands a response.

I have had a spiritual director for decades. I have a mentor who, like Eli, is older than I am. I also have teachers who are younger than I am by many years. They accept me. They guide and challenge me. They offer insights. I am spiritually richer because of them.

It is this manner of accompanying people, which Pope Francis is espousing for the church. It is an approach grounded in scripture and in Ignatian spirituality. For too long the Church has tried to control people’s lives rather than walk with them. That may be the prime reason why so many people in turn have walked away from the Church.

Two things that I have come to understand people desire in life are to be accepted without judgement and to have someone walk alongside them. Acceptance and companionship. Isn’t that what we really desire in life?

Have you, do you have, a mentor in your life; someone who walks alongside you?

Whom do you accompany, listen to and offer insight?

Are you longing and searching for such a person in your life?