Daily Readings - Tue Dec 22 2020

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 surrender. In the first reading from 1 Samuel, Hannah, who had long been barren, weans her son Samuel and presents him to the Lord at Shiloh. This act is deeply significant, as Hannah had vowed to dedicate her child to God if He were to grant her a son. Here, we see a mother’s trust in God’s plan, even as it requires her to let go of something deeply personal. Hannah’s prayer is one of gratitude and surrender, recognizing that her son’s life belongs to the Lord. Similarly, in the Gospel, Mary’s Magnificat is a hymn of praise and surrender. After visiting her cousin Elizabeth, Mary proclaims the greatness of God, acknowledging His mercy, justice, and faithfulness. Her song reflects a deep humility and trust in God’s plan, even as she carries the immense responsibility of being the Mother of the Messiah. Both Hannah and Mary teach us about the beauty of surrender and the power of faith. Their stories are not just about individual acts of devotion but about recognizing God’s larger plan. Hannah’s surrender of Samuel prepares the way for a prophet who will shape Israel’s history, while Mary’s surrender to God’s will ushers in the Savior of the world. These women remind us that true faith is not about control but about trusting in God’s providence, even when the path is uncertain. Their humility and gratitude are exemplary, showing us how to respond to God’s gifts with openness and trust. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where in our lives are we being called to surrender? Like Hannah and Mary, we are invited to trust in God’s plan, even when it challenges us. Whether it’s letting go of something we hold dear or embracing a calling that feels daunting, we can draw strength from their examples. Let us cultivate the humility and gratitude that marked their lives, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. In doing so, we may find the courage to say, like Mary, “Let it be done unto me according to your word,” and to trust that God’s plan is always greater than our own.