Daily Readings - Fri Dec 22 2017
First Reading - 1 Samuel 1.24-28
1 Samuel
24And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.25And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.26And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.27For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:28Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
Gospel - Luke 1.46-56
Luke
46And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,47And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.48For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.49For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.50And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.51He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.53He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.54He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;55As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.56And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful acts of faith and surrender to God’s will. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of Hannah, who, after years of infertility, prays fervently for a child. When God blesses her with Samuel, she fulfills her vow to dedicate him to the Lord, bringing him to the temple at Shiloh. This act of surrender is not just about giving her son to God but also about trusting in God’s plan, even when it requires great sacrifice. The Gospel reading is Mary’s Magnificat, a hymn of praise and thanksgiving. Mary, upon visiting her cousin Elizabeth, recognizes the greatness of what God has done in her life and proclaims His mercy, justice, and faithfulness. Both Hannah and Mary exemplify a deep trust in God and a willingness to surrender their lives to His will.
The context of these readings reveals the profound faith of two women in different circumstances. Hannah, in her vulnerability and longing for a child, turns to God in prayer and keeps her promise to Him. Mary, though young and faced with the unexpected news of bearing the Messiah, accepts her role with humility and joy. Both stories highlight the theme of surrender and trust in God’s providence. They remind us that our lives are not our own but are part of a larger story that God is writing. Their examples invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God—do we trust Him enough to surrender our plans, our fears, and our desires to His will?
These readings call us to apply this spirit of surrender and trust to our daily lives. Like Hannah and Mary, we are invited to recognize God’s presence and action in our lives, even in moments of uncertainty or difficulty. Surrendering to God’s will does not mean passivity; it means actively trusting that He is working for our good and the good of others. Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to let go of control and place our lives in God’s hands? Are we open to seeing His mercy and faithfulness in our own stories? By imitating the faith of Hannah and Mary, we can deepen our trust in God and live with greater joy, humility, and purpose.