Readings: 1 Sam. 1:9-20, 1 Sam. 2:1,4-8, Mark 1:21-28
“She was deeply distressed, prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy maidservant, and remember me, and not forget thy maidservant, but wilt give to thy maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.’” (1 Samuel 1:10-11)
Today, we hear the story of Hannah, Elkanah’s first wife. Year after year, Hannah would cry her heart out because of the constant provocation from her rival, Peninnah. One day, she decided to take her burdens to God in prayer.
Hannah’s prayer was a covenant with God. As we read: “She vowed a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy maidservant, and remember me, and not forget thy maidservant, but wilt give to thy maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.’” (1 Samuel 1:11).
Hannah was prepared to give something to God in exchange for what she was asking for. Her prayer was her vow. When we pray, we should not only focus on what we hope to gain from God; we should also be willing to give back something to Him. Even in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus told us that we should not expect forgiveness for our sins if we refuse to forgive others.
Secondly, Hannah’s prayer was not loud. We read: “Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard; therefore, Eli took her to be a drunken woman.” (1 Samuel 1:13). There is absolutely nothing wrong with praying aloud, but God hears us even when others cannot hear our voice.
Jesus told us: “When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that men may see them. Truly, I can say they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5-6)
Thirdly, Hannah believed that God would answer her prayer. When Eli, the priest, assured her that God would definitely answer her, Hannah trusted Eli. We read: “Then the woman went her way and ate, and her countenance was no longer sad.” (1 Samuel 1:18)
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus was teaching in the temple, but his presence alone threatened a demon-possessed man. Jesus only needed to speak a single sentence, and the demon left the man. Jesus not only taught with authority, but he also commanded the devil with authority.
That a man with a demon could enter the Synagogue should alert us to the fact that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” in the church is genuinely saved. Some of us are merely satanic agents, demons in disguise, intent on destroying souls. The only shield we have as Christians is prayer. Jesus commanded demons not just because He is God but because He was a man of prayer. A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian.
Let us pray: Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care, O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done and gain strength to do what they have seen. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Tuesday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: 1 Sam. 1:9-20, 1 Sam. 2:1,4-8, Mark 1:21-28)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu