Providence and Prayer

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to consider our approach to prayer and the mystical aspect of our relationship to Christ in the events of life.

Prayer Place

The Reading from the First Book of Samuel presents Hannah’s Prayer.

* [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 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the response from the First Book of Samuel, Hannah declares her heart exults in the Lord.

* [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.

* [2:3] Speak ... mouths: addressed to the enemies mentioned in v. 1. (1 Samuel, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark proclaims Jesus Cure of a Demoniac.

* [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. The narrative continues with events that evening (Mk 1:32–34; see notes on Mt 8:14–17) and the next day (Mk 1:35–39). The cleansing in Mk 1:40–45 stands as an isolated story.

* [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 | USCCB, n.d.)

Suzanne Braddock notes that Jesus met with resistance from the first. A man possessed by an unclean spirit called out “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!”

I ask myself: What have I to do with Jesus? Who is He to me? Do I know Him truly as the Holy One of God? Yes, He will destroy evil in  the end, I believe. But His desire for  us is not destruction, but life. Abundant life. Fully alive. To be the me who was created to be just that - me. Not some person perfect in all respects, but perfectly me. As St. Irenaeus said “The glory of God is man fully alive.”  Woman, too.

May this year foster growth in me to fulfill God’s will for me at my creation. To realize what gifts He has given me that I may use to bring light and life to others. To not just say prayers but to listen silently for God’s loving response. To sit at His knee and wonder. (Braddock, n.d.)

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 we don’t always get exactly what we are asking for. Not every parent who prays for a child will conceive one; not everything that we long for will come in the way we were expecting it. However, with prayerful reflection over time, we begin to see the many blessings that the Lord has given us. It’s true that God answers in his own time, even though we may feel that we are running out of patience.

Take heart! Your heavenly Father longs to hear your prayers and petitions. He wants you to come into his presence, just as Hannah did, and pour out your heart. And as you do, he will pour out his mercy on you.

Remember that God is always listening. He loves you. He has great blessings in store for you. He has a good plan for your life. So come to him with an open heart, ready to receive whatever he wants to give you. And one day, in this life or in the next, you will join Hannah and proclaim: “My heart exults in the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:1).

“Lord, I know that you hear my prayers. Help me to trust in you.” (Meditation on 1 Samuel 1:9-20, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that 1 Samuel tells of Hannah at the sanctuary and how she prays to God to remove her curse and she will give birth to her son, Samuel. The Lord listens, and she will dedicate Samuel to the Lord. Eli approves of her prayer even after misjudgement of her state and intention, a message perhaps to us. Mark, at the beginning of the Gospel, presents Jesus proclaiming the Kingdom through action. The demons, as spiritual creatures, recognize Jesus. He is establishing the Kingdom of God where the Evil One will have no power over us. Friar Jude notes we will know God in the depth of our hearts.

Jennifer Garcia Bashaw and Aaron Higashi authors of Serving Up Scripture: How to Interpret the Bible for Yourself and Others comment that the second creation story in Genesis contradicts much of the first. They show how both are needed.

In addition to the chapters’ portrayals of God, the stories flatly contradict each other in their orders of creation. In Genesis 1, vegetation is created before animals, then animals are created before men and women, who are made at the same time. But in Genesis 2:4 and following, Adam is created before any vegetation, then animals are created before Eve.…

In many ways, the Bible does us a favor by beginning with two contradictory stories. In so doing, the Bible signals to us at the outset what this text actually is: a diverse collection of religious traditions that have been brought together by different communities of faith over a long period of time…. When you read the Bible, you’re reading an anthology of ancient religious literature—not a textbook, not an instructional manual, not a love letter from God, and not a complete work of systematic theology. (Garcia Bashaw & Higashi, n.d.)

We contemplate the action of the Spirit in our lives to reveal the reality of our Creation that extends beyond what our five senses initially present to us.

References

Braddock, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved January 13, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-13-2026 

Garcia Bashaw, J., & Higashi, A. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 13, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-gift-of-two-stories/ 

Mark, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/1?21 

Meditation on 1 Samuel 1:9-20. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 13, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/13/1479145/ 

1 Samuel, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/1 

1 Samuel, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 13, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/2 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Taught with Authority. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 13, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Unity and Attentiveness

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be attentive to the call and mission of Christ to bring us together as children of God.

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

The reading from the Letter to the Ephesians calls for Unity in the Body of Christ.

* [4:1–16] A general plea for unity in the church. Christians have been fashioned through the Spirit into a single harmonious religious community (one body, Eph 4:4, 12; cf. Eph 4:16), belonging to a single Lord (in contrast to the many gods of the pagan world), and by one way of salvation through faith, brought out especially by the significance of baptism (Eph 4:1–6; cf. Rom 6:1–11). 

* [4:4–6] The “seven unities” (church, Spirit, hope; Lord, faith in Christ [Eph 1:13], baptism; one God) reflect the triune structure of later creeds in reverse. (Ephesians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 24 is a prayer for Entrance into the Temple

* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches about interpreting the times and settling with your opponent.

* [12:59] The last penny: Greek, lepton, a very small amount. Mt 5:26 has for “the last penny” the Greek word kodrantēs (Latin quadrans, “farthing”). (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Carol Zuegner thinks Jesus is telling all of us to pay attention. We know how. We can read the signs of a friend’s distress, a colleague happy about a good meeting, a family member’s need for reassurance. We can read them, but what happens when we are distracted? How can I see God in others if our only communication is a grinning emoji and an abbreviation? Any communication can be good, but we need to go beyond that surface level.

I think we are all starved to that kind of attention that is focused, caring, empathetic. We all need to really see the signs and really listen to what those around us are saying. It takes time and effort to see beyond the surface and to interpret the signs of how those around us are coping. Those text messages can wait. I don’t have to watch that video right now. I can pay attention to those around me and pay attention to me. (Zuegner, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Signs from the Law point to the dawn of the Mystery of Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).

"People focus their attention on things of this kind. From long observation and practice they tell beforehand when rain will fall or violent winds will blow. One especially sees that sailors are very skillful in this matter. He says that it would be suitable for those who can calculate things of this sort and may foretell storms that are about to happen to focus the penetrating eyes of the mind also on important matters. What are these? The law showed beforehand the mystery of Christ, that he would shine out in the last ages of the world on the inhabitants of the earth and submit to be a sacrifice for the salvation of all. It even commanded a lamb to be sacrificed as a type of him who died towards evening and at lighting of lamps (Exodus 12:6).

"We might now understand that when, like the day, this world was declining to its close, the great, precious and truly saving passion would be fulfilled. The door of salvation would be thrown wide open to those who believe in him, and abundant happiness be their share. In the Song of Songs, we also find Christ calling to the bride described there. The bride personally represents the church, in these words, 'Arise, come, my neighbor, my beautiful dove. Look, the winter is past, and the rain is gone. It has passed away. The flowers appear on the ground. The time of the pruning has come' (Song 2:10-12). As I said, a certain springlike calm was about to arise for those who believe in him." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 95)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6 notes that when Pope Francis was asked, “Who is Jorge Bergoglio?” his answer surprised many: “I am a sinner whom the Lord looked upon with mercy.” But to fellow Jesuits around the world, his response was anything but surprising. They knew that this is the standard answer for a Jesuit when he is asked about his identity: that he is “a sinner loved and redeemed by God.”

This recognition of who we are can also help us in “bearing with one another through love” (Ephesians 4:2). We aren’t perfect, and we can’t expect other people to be perfect, either. We are all in the same boat—all sinners striving to please the Lord but also in need of God’s mercy every day. That awareness softens our hearts, allowing us to treat others with patience and gentleness and to forgive them as the Lord forgives us.

Yes, God has called us who are sinners to follow him. But through his love, grace, and mercy, we can live in a way that makes us worthy of this call!

“Jesus, thank you for calling me. Help me to glorify you.” (Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the passage from Ephesians is set by the author as from Paul in prison as it urges a life of gentleness, patience, and love as a sign of unity in Christ. Our cleverness in interpretation of the physical world should extend to our spiritual reality. Friar Jude reminds us of the preparation practice of living as if it is our last day on earth.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that visionaries, prophets, and Jesus have all warned us that this journey that we are on will be beset by troubles. In this life, you will have trouble. How we handle that trouble is our witness to future generations.

What I want to say about the wisdom that matters now is that this wisdom often comes from discernment of Divine Spirit in our midst. Hearing and heeding the voice of the Divine is critical during difficult times. But sometimes, with all of our media distractions and our own boredom, it’s difficult to hear the voice of the Creator. So, I’m going to suggest that if you’re hoping to hear beyond this realm into the next, remember that the key is newness. The Creator does not come as we expect. The Spirit does not move under our command. When we expect divine intervention in one way, it usually comes in another. We expect the warrior king to set things right, God sends a baby in a manger. We expect wrongs to be punished, God extends grace and mercy to all.   (Rohr, n.d.)

As we contemplate the nature of the unity among us, we consider our state and common condition as “sinners whom the Lord looked upon with mercy.”

References

Ephesians, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/4?1  

Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?54= 

Meditation on Ephesians 4:1-6. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/25/1112765/ 

Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Wisdom Will Come. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/wisdom-will-come/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Heed the Warning Signs before It Is Too Late. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct25 

Zuegner, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 25, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102524.html