Homily Outline Combining Resources

• Tuning in to the radio
  • The invention of the wireless in the 19^thcentury is a relatively new technology.
    • The first successful speech transmission didn’t occur until about 1900
    • The first long distance voice transmission occurred on Christmas Eve  1906, including a bible reading and instrumental version of O Holy Night.
  • The period between 1920’s and the 1950’s  is considered the “golden age” of radio.
    • Radio was the first electronic mass medium and monopolized the airwaves.
  • The advent of television in the late 1940’s challenged the supremacy of broadcast radio.
  • While many believe that the radio has been eclipsedby other media, it actually outperforms podcasts and TV in the digital era.
• Why so popular?
  • Radio remains popular across the globe because of its great versatility.
  • The many frequencies of radio waves mean that they can be targeted for specific uses, e.g.,
    • For secret military communication to submarines
    • For navigation
    • For public broadcast
    • For amateur radio
    • Even for radio astronomy.
  • Broadcast radio also exhibits unique characteristics:
    • It is locally created and consumed
    • Its immediacy can provide breaking news
    • The hardware is very inexpensive and the broadcasts are largely free.
  • The number one reason of its popularity, however, is its documented inclusivity, with documented usages across all ages, genders and ethnicities.
  • Radio broadcasters also demonstrated great vocal gifts and skills.
    • Increasingly an effective “radio voice” needs to communicate authenticity and empathy.
• Uncalibrated Samuel and calibrated disciples
  • The amateur prophet Samuel had not yet learned to tune into the direct voice of God in today’s first reading.
  • He was well attuned to Eli’s voice and confused it with the voice of God.
    • Maybe that was because Eli spoke with the authenticity of the Holy One
    • And echoed the empathy of the God who would call him to the prophetic life.
  • Ironically the disciples in today’s gospel were much more attuned to Jesus.
    • Perhaps because they had been well coached to listen to God’s voice by their previous teacher, John the Baptist.
    • And while Jesus does become a renowned preacher and storyteller as the gospels unfold
    • It is probably that even here at the beginning of his ministry he sounded to them like a familiar, even parental voice and presence
    • Filled with the empathy and authenticity, and marked by the inclusivity that would eventually gather many.
• What frequency are we on?
  • To suggest that we live in an era of saturated airwaves is an understatement.
    • Whether in our cars or in our homes
    • Sounds emanating from iPhones and Alexa appsbombard our environments.
  • With so many voices and so much noise
    • It is often difficult to discern voices of authenticity and empathy
      • Voices that are truly inclusive.
    • It is often difficult to discern the voice of God in our lives calling us to authentic, empathetic and inclusive discipleship.
  • In this often boisterous situation it is important to have mentors
    • Like Samuel had Eli
    • And the two disciples had John the Baptist
    • Who prepared them all to hear God’s voice.
  • Furthermore, the baptized who were anointed at our baptism as priest, prophet, and king also need to learn the languages of authenticity, empathy and inclusivity
    • So that in our speaking we can direct others to the authentic Christ
    • And lifelong discipleship in his service.