Abstract
The Bible serves as a vital spiritual guide in today’s world, filled with mixed messages, particularly due to technology that spreads both facts and false information. In the Diocese of Kalookan, we face serious challenges such as the bloody drug war under Rodrigo Duterte, the COVID-19 pandemic, and environmental issues. Currently, the Synod on Synodality inspires the adaptation of pastoral plans and the refinement of the diocese’s vision, mission, and priorities by encouraging the listening and participation of all members. In this presentation, it is presupposed that interpreting 1 Samuel 3 through the lens of the synodal spirit highlights the task of listening to each other and mutual discernment of responses to today’s challenges. The Synodal approach fosters collective conversations to discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance. The phrase “SPEAK, LORD!” in the story of the young Samuel encourages a communal sense of listening to God’s Word and spiritual growth. Though Samuel initially mistakes God’s call for Eli’s, his eventual delivery of God’s message affirms the necessity of attentiveness in faith. This presentation has four parts. It first discusses how the prophet is called to listen and then expounds on how Yahweh speaks. Next, it briefly discusses mimetic irony to look at the pivotal role of Samuel in Israel’s history and draws parallels between 1 Samuel 3 and Numbers 12 as well. It concludes with a reappropriation of how it is to listen to and speak for God can be done in the context of the Diocese of Kalookan today.
Recommended Citation
David, Pablo Virgilio S.
(2025)
"“Speak, Lord, Your Servant Is Listening!” (1 Sam 3:9) 25 Years of Listening and Responding to God’s Word for a Wounded World,"
Landas: Vol. 37:
No.
1, Article 4.
Available at:
https://archium.ateneo.edu/landas/vol37/iss1/4