Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 13, 2026
First Reading: 1 Samuel 1.9-20
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."
1 Samuel 2
Gospel: Mark 1.21-28
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
Our readings today present two powerful encounters with the divine. In the First Book of Samuel, we witness Hannah's profound distress and her fervent prayer at Shiloh. Mistaken for being drunk by the High Priest Eli, she reveals the depths of her sorrow and her desperate plea for a son, vowing to consecrate him to the Lord. God remembers her, and in time, she conceives and gives birth to Samuel. Meanwhile, the Gospel of Mark introduces us to Jesus' early ministry in Capernaum. His teaching immediately sets Him apart from the scribes, for He speaks with an undeniable authority. This authority is further demonstrated when He encounters a man with an unclean spirit in the synagogue, commanding it to be silent and depart, leaving everyone astonished by His power over even the spiritual realm.
These passages, though centuries apart, highlight different facets of God's active involvement in human affairs. Hannah's story unfolds within the context of ancient Israelite society, where barrenness was a source of great personal and social anguish. Her passionate, internal prayer underscores the importance of a deeply personal relationship with God, even when misunderstood by those around us. Eli's eventual blessing and God's remembering of Hannah remind us that divine intervention often comes in His own time and through unexpected means. Jesus, on the other hand, doesn't merely grant a petition; He embodies divine authority. He doesn't intercede *for* God; He *is* the one acting directly. The unclean spirit recognizes Him as "the Holy One of God," testifying to His inherent power and His mission to confront and overcome evil directly.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to a two-fold response. First, like Hannah, we are invited to pour out our hearts to God in persistent, humble prayer, trusting that He sees our afflictions and remembers us, even when our cries seem unheard or our faith is tested. We are reminded that our deepest desires, when offered with a sincere heart, can move the hand of God. Second, we are called to acknowledge and submit to the liberating authority of Jesus Christ. Just as He silenced the unclean spirit, He desires to bring order and peace to the chaotic parts of our lives, to silence the voices of doubt, fear, and temptation. By recognizing His presence and His sovereign power, we can experience the transformative grace that brings freedom from spiritual bondage and amazement at His work in our world.