Daily Readings - Thu Dec 22 2022

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, each highlighting the themes of trust, humility, and surrender to God's will. First, in 1 Samuel, we meet Hannah, a woman who, after years of barrenness, prays fervently for a child. When God blesses her with Samuel, she fulfills her vow by dedicating him to the Lord. This act of dedication is not just a religious ritual but a deep expression of her faith and gratitude. Hannah's story teaches us about the power of persistent prayer and the importance of keeping our promises to God. Her trust in God's plan, even in the face of personal difficulty, is a testament to her unwavering faith. In the Gospel of Luke, we hear Mary's Magnificat, a beautiful hymn of praise that flows from her heart as she visits her cousin Elizabeth. Mary's song is a celebration of God's favor and mercy. She recognizes the profound role she is called to play in God's plan of salvation, yet she remains humble and trusting. Her willingness to surrender to God's will, despite the challenges it would bring, is a model of humility and obedience. Mary's example encourages us to embrace our own roles in God's plan with joy and trust. Both Hannah and Mary teach us valuable lessons about living a life of faith. Their stories remind us to trust in God's providence, even when the path is uncertain. They show us that true faith leads to humble service and a willingness to surrender our lives to God's will. As we reflect on their examples, let us ask ourselves: Do we trust God enough to surrender our lives and our plans to Him? Do we approach life with the humility and gratitude that Hannah and Mary exemplify? May their faith inspire us to live each day with greater trust and devotion to God.