Daily Readings - Tue Jan 09 2024
1 Samuel
9So 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.10And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.11And 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.12And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.13Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.14And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.15And 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.16Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.17Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.18And 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.19And 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.20Wherefore 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.
Mark
21And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.22And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.23And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,24Saying, 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.25And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.26And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.27And 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.28And 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. First, we hear the story of Hannah from the First Book of Samuel. Hannah, a woman deeply grieved by her childlessness, pours out her heart to God in the temple. Despite Eli’s initial misunderstanding, Hannah’s sincerity and trust in God are evident. Her prayer is not just a plea for a child but a vow to dedicate that child to the Lord. This story highlights the power of persistent and heartfelt prayer, as God remembers Hannah and grants her a son, Samuel, who would become a great leader in Israel.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus exercising His divine authority in the synagogue at Capernaum. A man possessed by an unclean spirit recognizes Jesus as the Holy One of God, and Jesus commands the spirit to depart. The people are amazed not only by the miracle but by the authority with which Jesus teaches and acts. This passage reminds us that Jesus’ power is not limited to physical healing but extends to the spiritual realm, freeing us from the grip of sin and evil.
Both readings invite us to reflect on the nature of faith and trust in God. Hannah’s story teaches us that even in the midst of sorrow and struggle, we can approach God with honesty and hope. Jesus’ encounter with the man possessed by the unclean spirit shows us that God’s power is greater than any darkness we may face. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God’s providence, just as Hannah did, and to recognize the authority of Christ over all aspects of our lives. May we, like the people in Capernaum, be amazed by God’s power and drawn deeper into His love.