Daily Readings - Tue Jan 11 2022
1 Samuel
9And so, after she ate and drank at Shiloh, Hannah rose up. And Eli, the priest, was sitting on the seat before the door of the temple of the Lord10And since Hannah was bitter in soul, she prayed to the Lord, weeping greatly11And she made a vow, saying, "O Lord of hosts, if, in looking with favor, you will see the affliction of your servant and will remember me, and will not forget your handmaid, and if you will give to your servant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall pass over his head.12Then it happened that, while she multiplied prayers before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth13For Hannah was speaking in her heart, and only her lips moved, and her voice was barely heard. Therefore, Eli considered her to be drunk14and so he said to her: "How long will you be inebriated? You should take only a little wine, but instead you are drenched.15Responding, Hannah said: "By no means, my lord. For I am an exceedingly unhappy woman, and I drank neither wine, nor anything that can inebriate. Instead, I have poured out my soul in the sight of the Lord16You should not repute your handmaid as one of the daughters of Belial. For I have been speaking from the abundance of my sorrow and grief, even until now.17Then Eli said to her: "Go in peace. And may the God of Israel grant to you your petition, which you have begged of him.18And she said, "I wish that your handmaid may find grace in your eyes." And the woman went on her way, and she ate, and her countenance was no longer changed for the worse19And they rose up in the morning, and they worshipped before the Lord. And they returned and arrived at their own house at Ramah. Then Elkanah knew his wife Hannah. And the Lord remembered her20And it happened that, in the course of days, Hannah conceived and bore a son. And she called his name Samuel, because she had requested him from the Lord
Mark
21And they entered into Capernaum. And entering into the synagogue promptly on the Sabbaths, he taught them22And they were astonished over his doctrine. For he was teaching them as one who has authority, and not like the scribes23And in their synagogue, there was a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out24saying: "What are we to you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.25And Jesus admonished him, saying, "Be silent, and depart from the man.26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, departed from him27And they were all so amazed that they inquired among themselves, saying: "What is this? And what is this new doctrine? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.28And his fame went out quickly, throughout the entire region of Galilee
Sermon
The readings today present us with two powerful stories of faith and trust in God’s providence. In the first reading, we encounter Hannah, a woman deeply troubled by her infertility and the mockery she endures. Her prayer is one of raw emotion and sincerity, pouring out her sorrow before the Lord. Despite Eli’s initial misunderstanding, Hannah’s persistence and faith are rewarded when God remembers her and blesses her with a son, Samuel, whom she dedicates back to God. This story reminds us of the power of prayer and the importance of trusting in God’s timing and plan, even in the midst of suffering.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus exercising His authority over the forces of evil. In the synagogue at Capernaum, Jesus teaches with authority, and when confronted by an unclean spirit, He commands it to leave. The people are amazed not only by His teaching but also by His power over the spiritual realm. This passage highlights Jesus’ divine authority and His mission to free humanity from the grip of sin and evil. It invites us to reflect on our own trust in Jesus’ power to transform our lives and to recognize the spiritual battles we face daily.
Both readings call us to a deeper trust in God. Like Hannah, we may face trials and uncertainties, but her example teaches us to bring our struggles to God with honesty and perseverance. Like the people in Capernaum, we are reminded of Jesus’ authority over all things, including the forces of darkness. Let us apply this to our daily lives by seeking God in prayer, trusting in His plan, and turning to Him for strength in our own struggles. May we, like Hannah and the people of Capernaum, find grace and liberation through our faith in God.