Lucia Feverati
The expression: “Here I am,” does not only mean: “I am here,” but: “I am here for you!” As if God found your profile on Facebook and asked you to add Him as a friend. Accepting His friendship means saying: “Here I am!” Do you know how many of these: “Here I am!” are in the Bible? Not just the one that Mary said (Lk 1:38). There are 49!
Notice: there is even a “Here I am!” that the stars say. God calls the stars1 and they respond: “Here we are!” (Bar 3:35) and joyfully shine for the One who created them. They have never said no to Him. If they had, the heavens would have darkened.
Also our “No!” leaves the world darker. Sometimes we think: “I did not tell Him: ‘No’!” But when we did not respond, it is as if we said: “No.” If we walk past a lonely person without giving them a moment’s attention, [or] if we do not have understanding for someone who is crying, those are also: “No.”
Let us ask ourselves if we say words that wound, or if we cast looks that freeze. Does it not happen that we know everything about everyone, but nothing about Christ, who holds the keys to the meaning of life? [In doing so] we do not wrong Him, but ourselves, for we are called to love the whole world, and we are content with momentary sympathy for individuals. We wrong the world, which without our passion becomes even colder, without our prayer it is parched, and without our harmony it is less peaceful.
Our “Here I am!” are an everyday affair, and the responsibility in them prepares us for moments of decision. Everyday “Here I am!” trains us not to lose sight of Jesus and the “transport links” that [He] has set up on the tracks, [leading to] happiness.
Note from the editor: Let us add three brief supplements to this fresh article:
The Italian Eccomi! (Here I am!), which stands in the title of the article in the original, is a literal equivalent of the Hebrew expression hinnē. The used Greek equivalent idū comes from a verb meaning: to see; it therefore literally means: “Behold!” Thus speaks Mary as well in Lk 1:38.
It is worth recalling some other “Here I am!” or “Here is!” This way responded the Lord to Abram (Gen 22:1), Moses (Ex 3:4), Samuel (1 Sam 3:4), Isaiah (6:8), and the psalmist (Ps 40:8). But the Lord also declares this to His people (Is 52:6; 58:9). In the stories of the patriarchs, Joseph responds to his father Israel in this way (Gen 37:13). And Pilate shows the scourged Jesus to the people with this word (John 19:5.14).
In reference to these mentioned biblical texts, during the liturgical ceremony of priestly ordination, the assisting deacon calls the candidates individually by name, and each of them responds: “Here I am.” The same happens during the ordination of deacons, the appointment of lectors, and the establishment of acolyths.
