THE SPIRIT OF A HUMAN BEING IS IN THE EAR

II SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - 1 Sam 3:3-10,19

In all languages, there are proverbs full of insight, which express the wisdom that guided generations and helped them to walk along the right path. In Bemba, there are plenty of proverbs, which people use time and again in their daily interactions. They are like sparks of the Spirit, giving meaning to life; and some of them can be well connected with passages of the Scriptures.

The Bemba wisdom teaches: Umweo wa muntu waba mu kutwi, meaning the spirit (life) of a human being is in the ear, that is in listening. Since the traditional teaching was oral, listening was of paramount importance, and that was shown clearly in the ritual of opening the ears, when the instructors would breathe into the ears of the one being initiated, while the whole group sang:

Komo, komo

Komona umwana amatwi.

(Open, open

open the ears of the child).

One must be ready to listen and learn from the others. This modern society of ours stresses individualism and proclaims the right and the freedom for each one to pursue his own way. Indeed, we must realise the importance of a personal experience, and this Sunday’s gospel refers to that, when Jesus invites us as he invited the two disciples of John: “Come and see” (Jn 1:39). However, those two disciples went to Jesus, because they listened to John, who had pointed out to Jesus. The others play an important role in our lives and in the choices we make, if we allow them to touch our lives. For that to happen, we need to have a listening attitude.

Samuel, who became an important leader in the land of Israel, had a listening attitude since his childhood and he would keep it throughout his life. As soon as he heard the call, he did not waste time, but answered promptly:   “Here I am”. A Bemba proverb expresses well that urgency, teaching: Uwaitwa tafwala bwino, meaning: The one who is called has no time to put on good clothes. He cannot waste time and delay his response. It is the readiness of the responsible person, who acts immediately upon knowing what is expected of him.

Like Samuel, we must say: “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Sam 3:10).

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Next Tuesday, 20 of January, the people of Zambia will choose a new President. Let us pray that the election may be peaceful, free and fair and that all parties will accept the people’s choice.