Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 13, 2026
First Reading: 1 Samuel 1.9-20
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.
1 Samuel 2
Gospel: Mark 1.21-28
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
Our readings today present two powerful encounters with the divine. In the First Book of Samuel, we witness Hannah's profound distress and her fervent prayer at Shiloh. Mistaken for being drunk by the High Priest Eli, she reveals the depths of her sorrow and her desperate plea for a son, vowing to consecrate him to the Lord. God remembers her, and in time, she conceives and gives birth to Samuel. Meanwhile, the Gospel of Mark introduces us to Jesus' early ministry in Capernaum. His teaching immediately sets Him apart from the scribes, for He speaks with an undeniable authority. This authority is further demonstrated when He encounters a man with an unclean spirit in the synagogue, commanding it to be silent and depart, leaving everyone astonished by His power over even the spiritual realm.
These passages, though centuries apart, highlight different facets of God's active involvement in human affairs. Hannah's story unfolds within the context of ancient Israelite society, where barrenness was a source of great personal and social anguish. Her passionate, internal prayer underscores the importance of a deeply personal relationship with God, even when misunderstood by those around us. Eli's eventual blessing and God's remembering of Hannah remind us that divine intervention often comes in His own time and through unexpected means. Jesus, on the other hand, doesn't merely grant a petition; He embodies divine authority. He doesn't intercede *for* God; He *is* the one acting directly. The unclean spirit recognizes Him as "the Holy One of God," testifying to His inherent power and His mission to confront and overcome evil directly.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to a two-fold response. First, like Hannah, we are invited to pour out our hearts to God in persistent, humble prayer, trusting that He sees our afflictions and remembers us, even when our cries seem unheard or our faith is tested. We are reminded that our deepest desires, when offered with a sincere heart, can move the hand of God. Second, we are called to acknowledge and submit to the liberating authority of Jesus Christ. Just as He silenced the unclean spirit, He desires to bring order and peace to the chaotic parts of our lives, to silence the voices of doubt, fear, and temptation. By recognizing His presence and His sovereign power, we can experience the transformative grace that brings freedom from spiritual bondage and amazement at His work in our world.