Daily Readings - Sat Dec 22 2018

²⁴And after she had weaned him, she brought him with her, along with three calves, and three measures of flour, and a small bottle of wine, and she led him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. But the boy was still a young child²⁵And they immolated a calf, and they presented the boy to Eli²⁶And Hannah said: "I beg you, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord: I am that woman, who stood before you here, praying to the Lord²⁷I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted to me my petition, which I asked of him²⁸Because of this, I have also lent him to the Lord, for all the days when he shall be lent to the Lord." And they adored the Lord in that place. And Hannah prayed, and she said

Luke

Chapter 1

⁴⁶And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord⁴⁷And my spirit leaps for joy in God my Saviour⁴⁸For he has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed⁴⁹For he who is great has done great things for me, and holy is his name⁵⁰And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him⁵¹He has accomplished powerful deeds with his arm. He has scattered the arrogant in the intentions of their heart⁵²He has deposed the powerful from their seat, and he has exalted the humble⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty⁵⁴He has taken up his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy⁵⁵just as he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever.⁵⁶Then Mary stayed with her for about three months. And she returned to her own house

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter two profound acts of faith and dedication. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of Hannah, who, after years of infertility, prays fervently for a child, promising to dedicate him to the Lord. When her prayer is answered, she brings her young son Samuel to the temple, along with offerings, and formally dedicates him to God’s service. This act is a beautiful expression of gratitude and trust in God’s plan. Hannah’s surrender of her child to the Lord is not just a fulfillment of a vow but a testament to her deep faith and humility. The Gospel reading presents Mary’s Magnificat, a hymn of praise and thanksgiving. Upon visiting her cousin Elizabeth, Mary breaks into a song that reflects her complete surrender to God’s will. She rejoices in the Lord’s favor and acknowledges the greatness of what He has done for her. The Magnificat is not just a personal expression of joy; it is a theological reflection on God’s mercy, justice, and faithfulness throughout history. Mary’s song captures the essence of humility and trust in divine providence, recognizing that her role in God’s plan is a gift and a privilege. Both readings highlight the theme of surrender and trust in God. Hannah and Mary, though in different circumstances, model for us what it means to place our lives and our deepest desires into God’s hands. Their stories remind us that true faith is not about holding on to what we have but about letting go and trusting that God’s plan is greater than our own. In our daily lives, we are called to imitate this humility and trust. Whether it is through prayer, service, or simply living out our faith in everyday moments, we are invited to surrender our fears, doubts, and anxieties to the Lord, knowing that He is always at work in our lives. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: What is it that we need to surrender to God today? Is it a fear, a worry, or a desire? Like Hannah and Mary, may we learn to trust in God’s providence and to see His hand at work in our lives. Let us pray for the grace to live with humility and faith, knowing that when we place our lives in God’s hands, He can do great things through us.