Daily Readings - Tue Jan 14 2020

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 stories that highlight the power of faith and divine intervention. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of Hannah, a woman deeply sorrowful due to her inability to bear a child. Her fervent prayer in the temple, misunderstood by Priest Eli, showcases her unwavering faith. Despite her emotional state, Hannah's prayer is heard, and she conceives Samuel, whom she dedicates to God. This narrative underscores the importance of persistent and heartfelt prayer, even in the face of adversity. The Gospel reading from Mark presents Jesus teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. His authoritative teaching astonishes the people, and He demonstrates His divine power by casting out an unclean spirit. This miracle not only establishes Jesus' authority but also spreads His fame, illustrating the immediate impact of His ministry. The connection between the two readings lies in their depiction of divine intervention—Hannah's prayer is answered, and Jesus' authority over evil spirits is revealed. These stories encourage us to approach our challenges with faith and prayer. Like Hannah, we should trust in God's plan and seek His intervention with perseverance. Jesus' authority reminds us of God's power to transform our lives. As we navigate our own struggles, let us draw strength from these examples, trusting that our prayers are heard and that God's power is ever-present. May we, like Hannah and the people of Capernaum, find hope and transformation through our faith in God.