Daily Readings - Thu Dec 22 2022

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, each highlighting the themes of trust, humility, and surrender to God's will. First, in 1 Samuel, we meet Hannah, a woman who, after years of barrenness, prays fervently for a child. When God blesses her with Samuel, she fulfills her vow by dedicating him to the Lord. This act of dedication is not just a religious ritual but a deep expression of her faith and gratitude. Hannah's story teaches us about the power of persistent prayer and the importance of keeping our promises to God. Her trust in God's plan, even in the face of personal difficulty, is a testament to her unwavering faith. In the Gospel of Luke, we hear Mary's Magnificat, a beautiful hymn of praise that flows from her heart as she visits her cousin Elizabeth. Mary's song is a celebration of God's favor and mercy. She recognizes the profound role she is called to play in God's plan of salvation, yet she remains humble and trusting. Her willingness to surrender to God's will, despite the challenges it would bring, is a model of humility and obedience. Mary's example encourages us to embrace our own roles in God's plan with joy and trust. Both Hannah and Mary teach us valuable lessons about living a life of faith. Their stories remind us to trust in God's providence, even when the path is uncertain. They show us that true faith leads to humble service and a willingness to surrender our lives to God's will. As we reflect on their examples, let us ask ourselves: Do we trust God enough to surrender our lives and our plans to Him? Do we approach life with the humility and gratitude that Hannah and Mary exemplify? May their faith inspire us to live each day with greater trust and devotion to God.