Daily Readings - Tue Jan 09 2024
1 Samuel
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
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 moments of faith and divine intervention. First, we hear the story of Hannah from the First Book of Samuel. Hannah, a woman deeply grieved by her childlessness, pours out her heart to God in the temple. Despite Eli’s initial misunderstanding, Hannah’s sincerity and trust in God are evident. Her prayer is not just a plea for a child but a vow to dedicate that child to the Lord. This story highlights the power of persistent and heartfelt prayer, as God remembers Hannah and grants her a son, Samuel, who would become a great leader in Israel.
In the Gospel, we see Jesus exercising His divine authority in the synagogue at Capernaum. A man possessed by an unclean spirit recognizes Jesus as the Holy One of God, and Jesus commands the spirit to depart. The people are amazed not only by the miracle but by the authority with which Jesus teaches and acts. This passage reminds us that Jesus’ power is not limited to physical healing but extends to the spiritual realm, freeing us from the grip of sin and evil.
Both readings invite us to reflect on the nature of faith and trust in God. Hannah’s story teaches us that even in the midst of sorrow and struggle, we can approach God with honesty and hope. Jesus’ encounter with the man possessed by the unclean spirit shows us that God’s power is greater than any darkness we may face. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God’s providence, just as Hannah did, and to recognize the authority of Christ over all aspects of our lives. May we, like the people in Capernaum, be amazed by God’s power and drawn deeper into His love.