Daily Readings - Sat Dec 22 2018
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.
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 profound acts of faith and dedication. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of Hannah, who, after years of infertility, prays fervently for a child, promising to dedicate him to the Lord. When her prayer is answered, she brings her young son Samuel to the temple, along with offerings, and formally dedicates him to God’s service. This act is a beautiful expression of gratitude and trust in God’s plan. Hannah’s surrender of her child to the Lord is not just a fulfillment of a vow but a testament to her deep faith and humility.
The Gospel reading presents Mary’s Magnificat, a hymn of praise and thanksgiving. Upon visiting her cousin Elizabeth, Mary breaks into a song that reflects her complete surrender to God’s will. She rejoices in the Lord’s favor and acknowledges the greatness of what He has done for her. The Magnificat is not just a personal expression of joy; it is a theological reflection on God’s mercy, justice, and faithfulness throughout history. Mary’s song captures the essence of humility and trust in divine providence, recognizing that her role in God’s plan is a gift and a privilege.
Both readings highlight the theme of surrender and trust in God. Hannah and Mary, though in different circumstances, model for us what it means to place our lives and our deepest desires into God’s hands. Their stories remind us that true faith is not about holding on to what we have but about letting go and trusting that God’s plan is greater than our own. In our daily lives, we are called to imitate this humility and trust. Whether it is through prayer, service, or simply living out our faith in everyday moments, we are invited to surrender our fears, doubts, and anxieties to the Lord, knowing that He is always at work in our lives.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: What is it that we need to surrender to God today? Is it a fear, a worry, or a desire? Like Hannah and Mary, may we learn to trust in God’s providence and to see His hand at work in our lives. Let us pray for the grace to live with humility and faith, knowing that when we place our lives in God’s hands, He can do great things through us.