Daily Readings - Fri Dec 22 2017

First Reading - 1 Samuel 1.24-28

²⁴And after she had weaned him, she brought him with her, along with three calves, and three measures of flour, and a small bottle of wine, and she led him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. But the boy was still a young child²⁵And they immolated a calf, and they presented the boy to Eli²⁶And Hannah said: "I beg you, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord: I am that woman, who stood before you here, praying to the Lord²⁷I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted to me my petition, which I asked of him²⁸Because of this, I have also lent him to the Lord, for all the days when he shall be lent to the Lord." And they adored the Lord in that place. And Hannah prayed, and she said

Gospel - Luke 1.46-56

Luke

Chapter 1

⁴⁶And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord⁴⁷And my spirit leaps for joy in God my Saviour⁴⁸For he has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed⁴⁹For he who is great has done great things for me, and holy is his name⁵⁰And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him⁵¹He has accomplished powerful deeds with his arm. He has scattered the arrogant in the intentions of their heart⁵²He has deposed the powerful from their seat, and he has exalted the humble⁵³He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty⁵⁴He has taken up his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy⁵⁵just as he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever.⁵⁶Then Mary stayed with her for about three months. And she returned to her own house

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful acts of faith and surrender to God’s will. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of Hannah, who, after years of infertility, prays fervently for a child. When God blesses her with Samuel, she fulfills her vow to dedicate him to the Lord, bringing him to the temple at Shiloh. This act of surrender is not just about giving her son to God but also about trusting in God’s plan, even when it requires great sacrifice. The Gospel reading is Mary’s Magnificat, a hymn of praise and thanksgiving. Mary, upon visiting her cousin Elizabeth, recognizes the greatness of what God has done in her life and proclaims His mercy, justice, and faithfulness. Both Hannah and Mary exemplify a deep trust in God and a willingness to surrender their lives to His will. The context of these readings reveals the profound faith of two women in different circumstances. Hannah, in her vulnerability and longing for a child, turns to God in prayer and keeps her promise to Him. Mary, though young and faced with the unexpected news of bearing the Messiah, accepts her role with humility and joy. Both stories highlight the theme of surrender and trust in God’s providence. They remind us that our lives are not our own but are part of a larger story that God is writing. Their examples invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God—do we trust Him enough to surrender our plans, our fears, and our desires to His will? These readings call us to apply this spirit of surrender and trust to our daily lives. Like Hannah and Mary, we are invited to recognize God’s presence and action in our lives, even in moments of uncertainty or difficulty. Surrendering to God’s will does not mean passivity; it means actively trusting that He is working for our good and the good of others. Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to let go of control and place our lives in God’s hands? Are we open to seeing His mercy and faithfulness in our own stories? By imitating the faith of Hannah and Mary, we can deepen our trust in God and live with greater joy, humility, and purpose.