Daily Readings - Mon Jan 13 2020
1 Samuel
1There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.2He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.3Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD.4On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters.5But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb.6And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb.7So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.8And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?"
Mark
14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God,15and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."16Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.17And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men."18And immediately they left their nets and followed him.19And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.20And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful stories that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and God’s providence. The first reading from 1 Samuel introduces us to Hannah, a woman deeply grieved by her infertility, yet steadfast in her trust in God. Despite the pain of being childless and the taunts of her rival, Hannah turns to the Lord in prayer, pouring out her heart to Him. Her husband, Elkanah, though well-meaning, cannot fully understand her sorrow, but he reminds her of his love and support. This story sets the stage for the miraculous birth of Samuel, a pivotal figure in Israel’s history. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to the call of the first disciples. Jesus, having just begun His ministry, encounters Simon, Andrew, James, and John by the Sea of Galilee. With a simple invitation, “Come after me,” Jesus calls them to leave behind their familiar lives as fishermen and embark on a new journey of faith. Without hesitation, they follow Him, demonstrating an extraordinary trust in God’s plan.
These readings, though separated by centuries, share a common theme: the call to trust in God’s timing and plan, even when the path is uncertain. Hannah’s story reminds us that our struggles and sorrows are not beyond God’s notice. Her perseverance in prayer and her refusal to lose hope in the face of infertility and mockery show us how to trust in God’s providence, even when His timing seems slow. Similarly, the disciples in the Gospel demonstrate an immediate and total response to Jesus’ call. They leave behind the security of their nets and their families, trusting that following Him will lead to something greater. Their willingness to step into the unknown reflects the kind of faith that God desires from us.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to God’s invitations in our own lives? Do we, like Hannah, trust in God’s plan even when we feel afflicted or misunderstood? Or do we, like the disciples, have the courage to leave behind the familiar and follow Jesus without looking back? These stories challenge us to deepen our faith and to trust that God is always at work, even in the midst of uncertainty. May we, like Hannah and the disciples, surrender our lives to God’s will, knowing that He will fulfill His promises in His own time.