Daily Readings - Tue Dec 22 2020

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 surrender. In the first reading from 1 Samuel, Hannah, who had long been barren, weans her son Samuel and presents him to the Lord at Shiloh. This act is deeply significant, as Hannah had vowed to dedicate her child to God if He were to grant her a son. Here, we see a mother’s trust in God’s plan, even as it requires her to let go of something deeply personal. Hannah’s prayer is one of gratitude and surrender, recognizing that her son’s life belongs to the Lord. Similarly, in the Gospel, Mary’s Magnificat is a hymn of praise and surrender. After visiting her cousin Elizabeth, Mary proclaims the greatness of God, acknowledging His mercy, justice, and faithfulness. Her song reflects a deep humility and trust in God’s plan, even as she carries the immense responsibility of being the Mother of the Messiah. Both Hannah and Mary teach us about the beauty of surrender and the power of faith. Their stories are not just about individual acts of devotion but about recognizing God’s larger plan. Hannah’s surrender of Samuel prepares the way for a prophet who will shape Israel’s history, while Mary’s surrender to God’s will ushers in the Savior of the world. These women remind us that true faith is not about control but about trusting in God’s providence, even when the path is uncertain. Their humility and gratitude are exemplary, showing us how to respond to God’s gifts with openness and trust. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where in our lives are we being called to surrender? Like Hannah and Mary, we are invited to trust in God’s plan, even when it challenges us. Whether it’s letting go of something we hold dear or embracing a calling that feels daunting, we can draw strength from their examples. Let us cultivate the humility and gratitude that marked their lives, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. In doing so, we may find the courage to say, like Mary, “Let it be done unto me according to your word,” and to trust that God’s plan is always greater than our own.