Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 13, 2020
First Reading: 1 Samuel 1.1-8
1Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:2And he 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.3And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.4And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:5But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.6And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.7And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.8Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
Psalm 116
1I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.2Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.3The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.4Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.5Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.6The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.7Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.8For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.9I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.10I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:11I said in my haste, All men are liars.12What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?13I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.14I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.16O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.17I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.18I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,19In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
Gospel: Mark 1.14-20
14Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,15And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.16Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.17And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.18And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.19And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.20And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful stories that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and God’s providence. The first reading from 1 Samuel introduces us to Hannah, a woman deeply grieved by her infertility, yet steadfast in her trust in God. Despite the pain of being childless and the taunts of her rival, Hannah turns to the Lord in prayer, pouring out her heart to Him. Her husband, Elkanah, though well-meaning, cannot fully understand her sorrow, but he reminds her of his love and support. This story sets the stage for the miraculous birth of Samuel, a pivotal figure in Israel’s history. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to the call of the first disciples. Jesus, having just begun His ministry, encounters Simon, Andrew, James, and John by the Sea of Galilee. With a simple invitation, “Come after me,” Jesus calls them to leave behind their familiar lives as fishermen and embark on a new journey of faith. Without hesitation, they follow Him, demonstrating an extraordinary trust in God’s plan.
These readings, though separated by centuries, share a common theme: the call to trust in God’s timing and plan, even when the path is uncertain. Hannah’s story reminds us that our struggles and sorrows are not beyond God’s notice. Her perseverance in prayer and her refusal to lose hope in the face of infertility and mockery show us how to trust in God’s providence, even when His timing seems slow. Similarly, the disciples in the Gospel demonstrate an immediate and total response to Jesus’ call. They leave behind the security of their nets and their families, trusting that following Him will lead to something greater. Their willingness to step into the unknown reflects the kind of faith that God desires from us.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to God’s invitations in our own lives? Do we, like Hannah, trust in God’s plan even when we feel afflicted or misunderstood? Or do we, like the disciples, have the courage to leave behind the familiar and follow Jesus without looking back? These stories challenge us to deepen our faith and to trust that God is always at work, even in the midst of uncertainty. May we, like Hannah and the disciples, surrender our lives to God’s will, knowing that He will fulfill His promises in His own time.