THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Tuesday in the first week in Ordinary Time, 2022

1Sam 1:9-20

(Ps)1Sam 2:1, 4-8

Mark 1:21-28

Lord remembered her

Dear friends in Christ, those who have faith, no matter how difficult the journey may be, find one more reason to live, and to hope.

Our first reading today (1Samuel 1:9-20) presents the story of faith seen in a barren woman—Hannah, who has been continuously taunted by her rival. She however went into the house of worship and addressed her prayers to God, with such intensity that her lips were moving, without a word heard from her. Eli the priest even mistakenly thought, she was drunk so early. Hannah is a great example of one bruised and broken, yet who refused to give up.

In her prayer, she called on God saying, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your maidservant, but will give to your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord, all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” This prayer and vow before the Lord, came at the right time. Eli, convinced by her response, that she was not drunk, and that she was just pouring out her heart before God, gave her his blessing saying, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have made to him.” That prayer was answered. “The Lord remembered her…Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel…”

There are some who are sharing the condition that moved Hannah to tears and to prayer in this passage. Some of them are taunted by friends, In-Laws and sometimes even by their spouses. The situation gets so bad, that some give up hope and move out of their marital homes. There are those who have gone everywhere and anywhere there is a promise of solution, even when it contradicts the faith they profess. Hannah is a great example of a woman who never gave up on God. What she got for her persistence is a child greater than all the children of the other woman who was taunting her, a child who became the leader of the nation and gave the nation its first king.

There are other conditions too. It may not be barrenness confronting some other people. They have prayed without a solution. Hannah kept going back to the temple every year, even when she got the greatest discouragement from there, as the share of the portions of their sacrifice brought her sorrow and insults. In whatever situation you are in now, do not give up. Call on God and remain steadfast. God’s time remains the best in all situations. Wait patiently on the Lord, for His blessing.

Let us pray: O God, when solutions are delayed, even the most faithful could waver. Make us stronger in our faith to never give up. Show us your mercy and answer our prayers as you did with Hannah. Amen.

+Remain blessed