Daily Readings - Tue Dec 22 2020
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 profound acts of faith and surrender. In the first reading from 1 Samuel, Hannah, who had long been barren, weans her son Samuel and presents him to the Lord at Shiloh. This act is deeply significant, as Hannah had vowed to dedicate her child to God if He were to grant her a son. Here, we see a mother’s trust in God’s plan, even as it requires her to let go of something deeply personal. Hannah’s prayer is one of gratitude and surrender, recognizing that her son’s life belongs to the Lord. Similarly, in the Gospel, Mary’s Magnificat is a hymn of praise and surrender. After visiting her cousin Elizabeth, Mary proclaims the greatness of God, acknowledging His mercy, justice, and faithfulness. Her song reflects a deep humility and trust in God’s plan, even as she carries the immense responsibility of being the Mother of the Messiah.
Both Hannah and Mary teach us about the beauty of surrender and the power of faith. Their stories are not just about individual acts of devotion but about recognizing God’s larger plan. Hannah’s surrender of Samuel prepares the way for a prophet who will shape Israel’s history, while Mary’s surrender to God’s will ushers in the Savior of the world. These women remind us that true faith is not about control but about trusting in God’s providence, even when the path is uncertain. Their humility and gratitude are exemplary, showing us how to respond to God’s gifts with openness and trust.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where in our lives are we being called to surrender? Like Hannah and Mary, we are invited to trust in God’s plan, even when it challenges us. Whether it’s letting go of something we hold dear or embracing a calling that feels daunting, we can draw strength from their examples. Let us cultivate the humility and gratitude that marked their lives, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. In doing so, we may find the courage to say, like Mary, “Let it be done unto me according to your word,” and to trust that God’s plan is always greater than our own.