Daily Readings - Fri Dec 22 2017
1 Samuel
24And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. And the child was young.25Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli.26And she said, "Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the LORD.27For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him.28Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD."And he worshiped the LORD there.
Luke
46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;49for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.50And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;52he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;53he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,55as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."56And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful acts of faith and surrender to God’s will. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of Hannah, who, after years of infertility, prays fervently for a child. When God blesses her with Samuel, she fulfills her vow to dedicate him to the Lord, bringing him to the temple at Shiloh. This act of surrender is not just about giving her son to God but also about trusting in God’s plan, even when it requires great sacrifice. The Gospel reading is Mary’s Magnificat, a hymn of praise and thanksgiving. Mary, upon visiting her cousin Elizabeth, recognizes the greatness of what God has done in her life and proclaims His mercy, justice, and faithfulness. Both Hannah and Mary exemplify a deep trust in God and a willingness to surrender their lives to His will.
The context of these readings reveals the profound faith of two women in different circumstances. Hannah, in her vulnerability and longing for a child, turns to God in prayer and keeps her promise to Him. Mary, though young and faced with the unexpected news of bearing the Messiah, accepts her role with humility and joy. Both stories highlight the theme of surrender and trust in God’s providence. They remind us that our lives are not our own but are part of a larger story that God is writing. Their examples invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God—do we trust Him enough to surrender our plans, our fears, and our desires to His will?
These readings call us to apply this spirit of surrender and trust to our daily lives. Like Hannah and Mary, we are invited to recognize God’s presence and action in our lives, even in moments of uncertainty or difficulty. Surrendering to God’s will does not mean passivity; it means actively trusting that He is working for our good and the good of others. Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to let go of control and place our lives in God’s hands? Are we open to seeing His mercy and faithfulness in our own stories? By imitating the faith of Hannah and Mary, we can deepen our trust in God and live with greater joy, humility, and purpose.