Daily Readings - Tue Dec 22 2020
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 surrender. In the first reading from 1 Samuel, Hannah, who had long been barren, weans her son Samuel and presents him to the Lord at Shiloh. This act is deeply significant, as Hannah had vowed to dedicate her child to God if He were to grant her a son. Here, we see a mother’s trust in God’s plan, even as it requires her to let go of something deeply personal. Hannah’s prayer is one of gratitude and surrender, recognizing that her son’s life belongs to the Lord. Similarly, in the Gospel, Mary’s Magnificat is a hymn of praise and surrender. After visiting her cousin Elizabeth, Mary proclaims the greatness of God, acknowledging His mercy, justice, and faithfulness. Her song reflects a deep humility and trust in God’s plan, even as she carries the immense responsibility of being the Mother of the Messiah.
Both Hannah and Mary teach us about the beauty of surrender and the power of faith. Their stories are not just about individual acts of devotion but about recognizing God’s larger plan. Hannah’s surrender of Samuel prepares the way for a prophet who will shape Israel’s history, while Mary’s surrender to God’s will ushers in the Savior of the world. These women remind us that true faith is not about control but about trusting in God’s providence, even when the path is uncertain. Their humility and gratitude are exemplary, showing us how to respond to God’s gifts with openness and trust.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where in our lives are we being called to surrender? Like Hannah and Mary, we are invited to trust in God’s plan, even when it challenges us. Whether it’s letting go of something we hold dear or embracing a calling that feels daunting, we can draw strength from their examples. Let us cultivate the humility and gratitude that marked their lives, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. In doing so, we may find the courage to say, like Mary, “Let it be done unto me according to your word,” and to trust that God’s plan is always greater than our own.