Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 13, 2026
First Reading: 1 Samuel 1.9-20
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
1 Samuel 2
Gospel: Mark 1.21-28
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
Our readings today present two powerful encounters with the divine. In the First Book of Samuel, we witness Hannah's profound distress and her fervent prayer at Shiloh. Mistaken for being drunk by the High Priest Eli, she reveals the depths of her sorrow and her desperate plea for a son, vowing to consecrate him to the Lord. God remembers her, and in time, she conceives and gives birth to Samuel. Meanwhile, the Gospel of Mark introduces us to Jesus' early ministry in Capernaum. His teaching immediately sets Him apart from the scribes, for He speaks with an undeniable authority. This authority is further demonstrated when He encounters a man with an unclean spirit in the synagogue, commanding it to be silent and depart, leaving everyone astonished by His power over even the spiritual realm.
These passages, though centuries apart, highlight different facets of God's active involvement in human affairs. Hannah's story unfolds within the context of ancient Israelite society, where barrenness was a source of great personal and social anguish. Her passionate, internal prayer underscores the importance of a deeply personal relationship with God, even when misunderstood by those around us. Eli's eventual blessing and God's remembering of Hannah remind us that divine intervention often comes in His own time and through unexpected means. Jesus, on the other hand, doesn't merely grant a petition; He embodies divine authority. He doesn't intercede *for* God; He *is* the one acting directly. The unclean spirit recognizes Him as "the Holy One of God," testifying to His inherent power and His mission to confront and overcome evil directly.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to a two-fold response. First, like Hannah, we are invited to pour out our hearts to God in persistent, humble prayer, trusting that He sees our afflictions and remembers us, even when our cries seem unheard or our faith is tested. We are reminded that our deepest desires, when offered with a sincere heart, can move the hand of God. Second, we are called to acknowledge and submit to the liberating authority of Jesus Christ. Just as He silenced the unclean spirit, He desires to bring order and peace to the chaotic parts of our lives, to silence the voices of doubt, fear, and temptation. By recognizing His presence and His sovereign power, we can experience the transformative grace that brings freedom from spiritual bondage and amazement at His work in our world.