Daily Readings - Tue Jan 14 2020

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 stories that highlight the power of faith and divine intervention. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of Hannah, a woman deeply sorrowful due to her inability to bear a child. Her fervent prayer in the temple, misunderstood by Priest Eli, showcases her unwavering faith. Despite her emotional state, Hannah's prayer is heard, and she conceives Samuel, whom she dedicates to God. This narrative underscores the importance of persistent and heartfelt prayer, even in the face of adversity. The Gospel reading from Mark presents Jesus teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. His authoritative teaching astonishes the people, and He demonstrates His divine power by casting out an unclean spirit. This miracle not only establishes Jesus' authority but also spreads His fame, illustrating the immediate impact of His ministry. The connection between the two readings lies in their depiction of divine intervention—Hannah's prayer is answered, and Jesus' authority over evil spirits is revealed. These stories encourage us to approach our challenges with faith and prayer. Like Hannah, we should trust in God's plan and seek His intervention with perseverance. Jesus' authority reminds us of God's power to transform our lives. As we navigate our own struggles, let us draw strength from these examples, trusting that our prayers are heard and that God's power is ever-present. May we, like Hannah and the people of Capernaum, find hope and transformation through our faith in God.