Daily Readings - Sun Dec 26 2021
1 Samuel
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."21The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow.22But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the LORD and dwell there forever."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.
1 John
1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.2Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.21Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;22and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.23And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.24Whoever keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
Luke
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.43And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,44but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,45and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress."49And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"50And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.52And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and living out God's will in our lives. In the first reading, Hannah dedicates her son Samuel to the Lord, fulfilling her promise to return him to God. This act of faith and gratitude highlights her deep trust in God's plan, despite the personal sacrifice it entails. Similarly, in the Gospel, Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the temple, where He is engaged in discussions with the teachers. Jesus' response, "I must be about my Father's business," underscores His dedication to His divine mission from a young age.
The second reading from 1 John bridges these narratives by emphasizing our identity as children of God and the commandments to believe in Jesus and love one another. This love and belief are not passive but active, guiding our actions and decisions. Just as Hannah and Mary trusted in God's plan, we are called to live out our faith with similar dedication and love.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to reflect on our own commitment to God. Are we dedicating our lives to His will, even when it requires sacrifice? Do we trust in His plan, even when the path is uncertain? Let us strive to live as children of God, filled with love and faith, and may our actions reflect His presence in our lives.