Daily Readings - Mon Jan 10 2022
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and the call to follow God. In the first reading from 1 Samuel, we meet Hannah, a woman deeply grieved by her infertility and the taunts of her rival, Peninnah. Despite her sorrow, Hannah turns to the Lord in prayer, trusting in His providence and mercy. This passage reminds us that even in the midst of suffering, God is near, and our struggles can deepen our relationship with Him. The context of this story is important—it sets the stage for the birth of Samuel, a pivotal figure in Israel’s history who would later anoint kings and lead the people in faith.
In the Gospel, we see a very different scene as Jesus begins His public ministry. After John the Baptist is arrested, Jesus proclaims the Good News: the kingdom of God is at hand. He calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John—simple fishermen—to leave everything behind and follow Him. Their immediate response is striking; they abandon their nets and their livelihoods to pursue a life of discipleship. This passage emphasizes the urgency of repentance and belief in the Gospel. Jesus’ call is not just an invitation to a new idea but a radical transformation of life. The context here is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, and it highlights the central message of His preaching: the kingdom of God is near, and it demands a response.
Both readings challenge us to consider how we respond to God’s call in our own lives. Hannah’s story teaches us about trusting in God’s plan even when it seems unclear or painful. The Gospel reminds us that following Jesus requires surrender and a willingness to let go of what holds us back. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God’s providence, even when we face difficulties, and to be open to the ways He invites us to follow Him. May we, like Hannah and the first disciples, have the courage to place our faith in God and to respond generously to His call.