Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 13, 2020
First Reading: 1 Samuel 1.1-8
1There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.2He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.3Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the LORD.4Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.5But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb.6And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.7This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.8Elkanah her husband would say to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?"
Psalm 116
1I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.2Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.3The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.4Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!"5The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.6The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.7Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.8For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,9that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.10I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."11And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."12How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?13I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.14I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.16O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.17I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.18I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,19in the courts of the house of the LORD - in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
Gospel: Mark 1.14-20
14After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.15"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"16As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.17"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."18At once they left their nets and followed him.19When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.20Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful stories that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and God’s providence. The first reading from 1 Samuel introduces us to Hannah, a woman deeply grieved by her infertility, yet steadfast in her trust in God. Despite the pain of being childless and the taunts of her rival, Hannah turns to the Lord in prayer, pouring out her heart to Him. Her husband, Elkanah, though well-meaning, cannot fully understand her sorrow, but he reminds her of his love and support. This story sets the stage for the miraculous birth of Samuel, a pivotal figure in Israel’s history. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to the call of the first disciples. Jesus, having just begun His ministry, encounters Simon, Andrew, James, and John by the Sea of Galilee. With a simple invitation, “Come after me,” Jesus calls them to leave behind their familiar lives as fishermen and embark on a new journey of faith. Without hesitation, they follow Him, demonstrating an extraordinary trust in God’s plan.
These readings, though separated by centuries, share a common theme: the call to trust in God’s timing and plan, even when the path is uncertain. Hannah’s story reminds us that our struggles and sorrows are not beyond God’s notice. Her perseverance in prayer and her refusal to lose hope in the face of infertility and mockery show us how to trust in God’s providence, even when His timing seems slow. Similarly, the disciples in the Gospel demonstrate an immediate and total response to Jesus’ call. They leave behind the security of their nets and their families, trusting that following Him will lead to something greater. Their willingness to step into the unknown reflects the kind of faith that God desires from us.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to God’s invitations in our own lives? Do we, like Hannah, trust in God’s plan even when we feel afflicted or misunderstood? Or do we, like the disciples, have the courage to leave behind the familiar and follow Jesus without looking back? These stories challenge us to deepen our faith and to trust that God is always at work, even in the midst of uncertainty. May we, like Hannah and the disciples, surrender our lives to God’s will, knowing that He will fulfill His promises in His own time.