Meditation: 1 Samuel 1:9 So Hannah got up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. ‘Eli the cohen was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of the temple of Adonai. 10 In deep depression she prayed to Adonai and cried. 11 Then she took a vow; she said, “Adonai-Tzva’ot, if you will notice how humiliated your servant is, if you will remember me and not forget your servant but will give your servant a male child, then I will give him to Adonai for as long as he lives; and no razor will ever come on his head.” 12 She prayed for a long time before Adonai; and as she did so, ‘Eli was watching her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart — her lips moved, but her voice could not be heard — so ‘Eli thought she was drunk. 14 ‘Eli said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Stop drinking your wine!” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a very unhappy woman. I have not drunk either wine or other strong liquor; rather, I’ve been pouring out my soul before Adonai. 16 Don’t think of your servant as a worthless woman; because I have been speaking from the depth of my distress and anger.” 17 Then ‘Eli replied, “Go in peace. May the God of Isra’el grant what you have asked of him.” 18 She replied, “May your servant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went on her way, and she ate, and her face was no longer sad. 19 They got up early in the morning and worshipped before Adonai, then returned and came to their house in Ramah.
If you give your handmaid a male child, I will give him to the Lord.(1 Samuel 1:11)
How do you talk to God? In the first reading for today, we hear how Hannah prays. For years she has borne the sadness of infertility, along with the stigma that other people have attached to her condition. Now she has had enough, and with honesty and desperation, she asks God for a child. She is willing to do anything, including return to God the very son she is asking for, if only God will show her mercy.
What a model Hannah offers us! She comes to God earnestly, in the midst of her troubles. She doesn’t try to make herself look good, and she doesn’t hide her true feelings. She arrives empty-handed and upset, so much so that she appears to be babbling drunkenly. But that doesn’t matter. All she knows is that she wants God to hear her.
And he does exactly that. He showers her with blessings. Not only does he give her a son, but he destines this son—Samuel—to be one of Israel’s most powerful prophets. And to top it off, he blesses Hannah with many more children!
In the face of seemingly unanswered prayers, it’s tempting to move away from God instead of towards him. It’s tempting to give up on him and remain locked in sorrow and frustration. But God does work when we pray. Our prayers may feel inadequate, and our faith may seem too small. But our Father sees to it that no prayer goes unnoticed. No act of faith or trust—however small—goes unrewarded. He doesn’t need us to be perfect before we come to him. What good would that do anyway? We would have no needs to bring to him!
This is one of the greatest blessings of prayer: you can come to the Lord no matter who you are or what you have done. He welcomes you with open arms, even when you don’t think you deserve it. He loves to hear what is upsetting you, and he loves to offer you his help and his grace. Hannah herself would testify that it’s not always easy to come to the Lord like this. But she will also tell you it is well worth it!
“Lord, thank you for your generosity. Help me to be generous with you too.” Amen!
(Psalm) 1 Samuel 2:1 Then Hannah prayed; she said:
Elkanah had sexual relations with Hannah his wife, and Adonai remembered her. 20 She conceived; and in due time she gave birth to a son, whom she named Sh’mu’el, “because I asked Adonai for him.”
1st Week in Ordinary TimeIf you give your handmaid a male child, I will give him to the Lord.(1 Samuel 1:11)
How do you talk to God? In the first reading for today, we hear how Hannah prays. For years she has borne the sadness of infertility, along with the stigma that other people have attached to her condition. Now she has had enough, and with honesty and desperation, she asks God for a child. She is willing to do anything, including return to God the very son she is asking for, if only God will show her mercy.
What a model Hannah offers us! She comes to God earnestly, in the midst of her troubles. She doesn’t try to make herself look good, and she doesn’t hide her true feelings. She arrives empty-handed and upset, so much so that she appears to be babbling drunkenly. But that doesn’t matter. All she knows is that she wants God to hear her.
And he does exactly that. He showers her with blessings. Not only does he give her a son, but he destines this son—Samuel—to be one of Israel’s most powerful prophets. And to top it off, he blesses Hannah with many more children!
In the face of seemingly unanswered prayers, it’s tempting to move away from God instead of towards him. It’s tempting to give up on him and remain locked in sorrow and frustration. But God does work when we pray. Our prayers may feel inadequate, and our faith may seem too small. But our Father sees to it that no prayer goes unnoticed. No act of faith or trust—however small—goes unrewarded. He doesn’t need us to be perfect before we come to him. What good would that do anyway? We would have no needs to bring to him!
This is one of the greatest blessings of prayer: you can come to the Lord no matter who you are or what you have done. He welcomes you with open arms, even when you don’t think you deserve it. He loves to hear what is upsetting you, and he loves to offer you his help and his grace. Hannah herself would testify that it’s not always easy to come to the Lord like this. But she will also tell you it is well worth it!
“Lord, thank you for your generosity. Help me to be generous with you too.” Amen!
(Psalm) 1 Samuel 2:1 Then Hannah prayed; she said:
“My heart exults in Adonai!
My dignity has been restored by Adonai!
I can gloat over my enemies,
because of my joy at your saving me.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken,
while the feeble are armed with strength.
5 The well-fed hire themselves for bread,
while those who were hungry hunger no more.
The barren woman has borne seven,
while the mother of many wastes away.
6 “Adonai kills and makes alive;
he brings down to the grave, and he brings up.
7 Adonai makes poor, and he makes rich;
he humbles, and he exalts.
8 He raises the poor from the dust,
lifts up the needy from the trash pile;
he gives them a place with leaders
and assigns them seats of honor.
“For the earth’s pillars belong to Adonai;
on them he has placed the world.
Mark 1:21 They entered K’far-Nachum, and on Shabbat Yeshua went into the synagogue and began teaching. 22 They were amazed at the way he taught, for he did not instruct them like the Torah-teachers but as one who had authority himself.
23 In their synagogue just then was a man with an unclean spirit in him, who shouted, 24 “What do you want with us, Yeshua from Natzeret? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!” 25 But Yeshua rebuked the unclean spirit, “Be quiet and come out of him!” 26 Throwing the man into a convulsion, it gave a loud shriek and came out of him. 27 They were all so astounded that they began asking each other, “What is this? A new teaching, one with authority behind it! He gives orders even to the unclean spirits, and they obey him!” 28 And the news about him spread quickly through the whole region of the Galil.
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