Daily Readings - Tue Jan 09 2018

⁹Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD's temple.¹⁰In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.¹¹And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."¹²As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth.¹³Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk¹⁴and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine."¹⁵"Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD.¹⁶Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."¹⁷Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."¹⁸She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.¹⁹Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.²⁰So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."

Mark

Chapter 1

²¹They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.²²The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.²³Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out,²⁴"What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!"²⁵"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!"²⁶The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.²⁷The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him."²⁸News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of faith and divine intervention. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of Hannah, a woman deeply troubled by her infertility, who pours out her heart to God in prayer. Her vow to dedicate her future child to the Lord is a testament to her unwavering trust in God's plan. The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus teaching with authority in the synagogue, where He casts out an unclean spirit, demonstrating His divine power over evil. These readings, though separated by time, share a common theme of trust and faith in God. Hannah's personal struggle and prayer reflect the human experience of seeking God's help in times of distress. Conversely, Jesus' public display of authority highlights His role as the divine savior, capable of overcoming even the darkest forces. Together, they illustrate the consistent message of trusting in God's providence, whether in personal struggles or in the broader battle against evil. In our daily lives, we can draw strength from Hannah's persistence and Jesus' authority. When faced with personal challenges, we are reminded to turn to prayer with the same sincerity and trust that Hannah exhibited. Recognizing Jesus' authority over all aspects of life, including our spiritual struggles, gives us confidence to face any adversity. Let us reflect on how we can emulate Hannah's faith and trust in God's plan, allowing Jesus' authority to guide us through life's trials.