Daily Readings - Tue Jan 09 2018
First Reading - 1 Samuel 1.9-20
1 Samuel
So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
Gospel - Mark 1.21-28
Mark
And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of faith and divine intervention. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of Hannah, a woman deeply troubled by her infertility, who pours out her heart to God in prayer. Her vow to dedicate her future child to the Lord is a testament to her unwavering trust in God's plan. The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus teaching with authority in the synagogue, where He casts out an unclean spirit, demonstrating His divine power over evil.
These readings, though separated by time, share a common theme of trust and faith in God. Hannah's personal struggle and prayer reflect the human experience of seeking God's help in times of distress. Conversely, Jesus' public display of authority highlights His role as the divine savior, capable of overcoming even the darkest forces. Together, they illustrate the consistent message of trusting in God's providence, whether in personal struggles or in the broader battle against evil.
In our daily lives, we can draw strength from Hannah's persistence and Jesus' authority. When faced with personal challenges, we are reminded to turn to prayer with the same sincerity and trust that Hannah exhibited. Recognizing Jesus' authority over all aspects of life, including our spiritual struggles, gives us confidence to face any adversity. Let us reflect on how we can emulate Hannah's faith and trust in God's plan, allowing Jesus' authority to guide us through life's trials.