Daily Readings - Tue Jan 09 2018

⁹After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the LORD.¹⁰She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.¹¹And she vowed a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head."¹²As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth.¹³Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman.¹⁴And Eli said to her, "How long will you go on being drunk? Put away your wine from you."¹⁵But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD.¹⁶Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation."¹⁷Then Eli answered, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him."¹⁸And she said, "Let your servant find favor in your eyes." Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.¹⁹They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.²⁰And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD."

Mark

Chapter 1

²¹And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.²²And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.²³And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,²⁴"What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God."²⁵But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"²⁶And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.²⁷And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him."²⁸And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of faith and divine intervention. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of Hannah, a woman deeply troubled by her infertility, who pours out her heart to God in prayer. Her vow to dedicate her future child to the Lord is a testament to her unwavering trust in God's plan. The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus teaching with authority in the synagogue, where He casts out an unclean spirit, demonstrating His divine power over evil. These readings, though separated by time, share a common theme of trust and faith in God. Hannah's personal struggle and prayer reflect the human experience of seeking God's help in times of distress. Conversely, Jesus' public display of authority highlights His role as the divine savior, capable of overcoming even the darkest forces. Together, they illustrate the consistent message of trusting in God's providence, whether in personal struggles or in the broader battle against evil. In our daily lives, we can draw strength from Hannah's persistence and Jesus' authority. When faced with personal challenges, we are reminded to turn to prayer with the same sincerity and trust that Hannah exhibited. Recognizing Jesus' authority over all aspects of life, including our spiritual struggles, gives us confidence to face any adversity. Let us reflect on how we can emulate Hannah's faith and trust in God's plan, allowing Jesus' authority to guide us through life's trials.