Daily Readings - Sat Dec 22 2018

²⁴After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh.²⁵When they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli,²⁶and she said to him, "As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD.²⁷I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.²⁸So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.

Luke

Chapter 1

⁴⁶And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord⁴⁷and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,⁴⁸for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,⁴⁹for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name.⁵⁰His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.⁵¹He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.⁵²He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.⁵⁴He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful⁵⁵to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."⁵⁶Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter two profound acts of faith and dedication. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of Hannah, who, after years of infertility, prays fervently for a child, promising to dedicate him to the Lord. When her prayer is answered, she brings her young son Samuel to the temple, along with offerings, and formally dedicates him to God’s service. This act is a beautiful expression of gratitude and trust in God’s plan. Hannah’s surrender of her child to the Lord is not just a fulfillment of a vow but a testament to her deep faith and humility. The Gospel reading presents Mary’s Magnificat, a hymn of praise and thanksgiving. Upon visiting her cousin Elizabeth, Mary breaks into a song that reflects her complete surrender to God’s will. She rejoices in the Lord’s favor and acknowledges the greatness of what He has done for her. The Magnificat is not just a personal expression of joy; it is a theological reflection on God’s mercy, justice, and faithfulness throughout history. Mary’s song captures the essence of humility and trust in divine providence, recognizing that her role in God’s plan is a gift and a privilege. Both readings highlight the theme of surrender and trust in God. Hannah and Mary, though in different circumstances, model for us what it means to place our lives and our deepest desires into God’s hands. Their stories remind us that true faith is not about holding on to what we have but about letting go and trusting that God’s plan is greater than our own. In our daily lives, we are called to imitate this humility and trust. Whether it is through prayer, service, or simply living out our faith in everyday moments, we are invited to surrender our fears, doubts, and anxieties to the Lord, knowing that He is always at work in our lives. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: What is it that we need to surrender to God today? Is it a fear, a worry, or a desire? Like Hannah and Mary, may we learn to trust in God’s providence and to see His hand at work in our lives. Let us pray for the grace to live with humility and faith, knowing that when we place our lives in God’s hands, He can do great things through us.