The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to faith that prayer is the Way to gratitude for the plan of God for our lives.
The reading from the First Book of Samuel is Hannah’s Prayer to bear a son.
* [1:11] No razor…: the Septuagint adds “he shall drink neither wine nor liquor.” This addition is a further suggestion that Samuel is dedicated to God under a nazirite vow (Nm 6:4–5); see note on v. 22.
* [1:20] Samuel: Hannah’s explanation associates her son’s name with the narrative’s wordplay on the Hebrew verbs s’l (“ask,” vv. 17, 27), his’il (“hand over, dedicate,” v. 28), sa’ul (“dedicated,” v. 28), and the noun se’elah (“request,” vv. 17, 27). The name, however, is related to the Hebrew root s’l only through assonance. It means “his name is El/God,” not “the one requested of or dedicated (sa’ul) to God” (v. 28), which is the meaning of the name Saul. The author may have lifted the s’l wordplay from a narrative about Saul to portray Samuel as God’s gracious answer to Hannah’s request. (1 Samuel, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
In the response from 1 Samuel 2 Hannah prayed.
* [2:1–10] Hannah appeals to a God who maintains order by keeping human affairs in balance, reversing the fortunes of the arrogant, who, like Peninnah, boast of their good fortune (vv. 1, 3, 9) at the expense of those like Hannah who receive less from the Lord. Hannah’s admission places her among the faithful who trust that God will execute justice on their behalf. The reference “his king ... his anointed” (v. 10) recalls the final sentence of the Book of Judges and introduces the kingship theme that dominates the Books of Samuel. (1 Samuel, CHAPTER 2, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus heals the Man with an Unclean Spirit.
* [1:21–45] The account of a single day’s ministry of Jesus on a sabbath in and outside the synagogue of Capernaum (Mk 1:21–31) combines teaching and miracles of exorcism and healing. Mention is not made of the content of the teaching but of the effect of astonishment and alarm on the people. Jesus’ teaching with authority, making an absolute claim on the hearer, was in the best tradition of the ancient prophets, not of the scribes.
* [1:23] An unclean spirit: so called because of the spirit’s resistance to the holiness of God. The spirit knows and fears the power of Jesus to destroy his influence; cf. Mk 1:32, 34; 3:11; 6:13.
* [1:24–25] The Holy One of God: not a confession but an attempt to ward off Jesus’ power, reflecting the notion that use of the precise name of an opposing spirit would guarantee mastery over him. Jesus silenced the cry of the unclean spirit and drove him out of the man.
* [1:24] What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4. (Mark, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
David Crawford comments that in our dark moments, we may define ourselves by our shortcomings – and assume that everyone else does, too. We may feel “exiled” by society, either for a mistake we have made but possibly (like Hannah) through no fault of our own. Some may hide their pain in public, but the hurt is no less real.
It is helpful for me to remember that our ever-present, loving God offers hope; and that we who follow Christ and have the Holy Spirit in us are often the instruments of that hope. It is incumbent on me – on each one of us – to shine the light of love for those who are in their dark moments. We may not know what to say, but just reaching out lets those folks know they are not alone, and the divine sparks in us may light the divine spark in them.
Loving God, we find our hope in you and we place our trust in you. Holy Spirit, fill us to overflowing so that we show your love to all we encounter. (Crawford, 2024)
Don Schwager quotes “Knowing without loving,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Those words show clearly that the demons had much knowledge, but entirely lacked love. They dreaded receiving their punishment from him. They did not love the righteousness that was in him. He made himself known to them to the extent he willed; and he willed to be made known to the extent that was fitting. But he was not made known to them as he is known to the holy angels, who enjoy participation in his eternity, in that he is the Word of God. To the demons he is known as he had to be made known, by striking terror into them, for his purpose was to free from their tyrannical power all who were predestined for his kingdom and glory, which is eternally true and truly eternal. Therefore, he did not make himself known to the demons as the life eternal, and the unchangeable light which illuminates his true worshipers, whose hearts are purified by faith in him so that they see that light. He was known to the demons through certain temporal effects of his power, the signs of his hidden presence, which could be more evident to their senses, even those of malignant spirits, than to the weak perception of human beings. (excerpt from CITY OF GOD 9.21) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Samuel 1:9-20 comments that in the face of seemingly unanswered prayers, it’s tempting to move away from God instead of toward 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 goes unrewarded. He doesn’t want us to wait until we’ve ironed out all our problems 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 that it is well worth it!
“Lord, thank you for your generosity. Help me to come to you in humility and honesty.” (Meditation on 1 Samuel 1:9-20, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the annunciation of the birth of Samuel. Eli blesses Hannah praying to the Lord and Hannah conceives Samuel “God listens”. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus came to serve not to be served as He exercises the authority of God to silence the unclean spirit.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces theologian Sallie McFague (1933–2019), who teaches facing the truth of the world’s crises is the first step toward loving action and change. She describes a faith-filled hope that grounds our engagement with a world on fire.
As we consider the basis for our hope, let us recall who God is. We must and can change our ways, live justly and sustainably on our planet, because of God, not because of ourselves. The hope we have lies in the radical transcendence of God…. God’s transcendence—God’s power of creative, redeeming, and sustaining love—is closer to us than we are to ourselves. God is the milieu, the source, of power and love in which our world, our fragile, deteriorating world, exists. The world is not left to fend for itself, nor is God “in addition” to anything, everything. Rather, God is the life, love, truth, goodness, and beauty that empower the universe and shine out from it….
Thus, “mysticism” is simply this awareness of God’s presence in and through and with everything for its well-being…. Curiously, this faith, not in ourselves, but in God, can free us to live lives of radical change. Perhaps it is the only thing that can. We do not rely on such hope as a way to escape personal responsibility—“Let God do it”—but rather this hope frees us from the pressure of outcomes so that we can add our best efforts to the task at hand. (Rohr, 2024)
We ponder the authority of Jesus teaching as we bring our petitions to God in prayer and accept our role in His Mission.
References
Crawford, D. (2024, January 9). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 9, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/010924.html
Mark, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/1?21
Meditation on 1 Samuel 1:9-20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 9, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/01/09/872559/
1 Samuel, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/1?9
1 Samuel, CHAPTER 2. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved January 9, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/2?1
Rohr, R. (2024, January 9). What Is Our Task? Care and Hope. — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 9, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/what-is-our-task-care-and-hope/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Taught with Authority. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 9, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jan9
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