Monday 22 December 2025. Readings: 1 Sam. 1:24-28, 1 Sam. 2:1,4-8, Luke 1:46-56
“For this child, I prayed; and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore, I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:27-28)
Life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes, we face harrowing experiences. For example, Hannah suffered constant humiliation and insults from her rival, Peninnah, because she was childless. Elkanah did his best to show his love for Hannah by giving her double portions at the yearly sacrifice, but Peninnah was jealous of her.
The tongue is one of the smallest organs in the body, but it can be dangerous if not handled properly. Sometimes, insults hurt more than physical injuries. Amid this turmoil, Hannah poured out her heart to God in prayer. She did not merely pray; she made a vow to God that, if she were blessed with a child, she would dedicate him as a Nazirite to serve God. By making a vow, Hannah invoked the power of a covenant. When you desperately seek something from God, make a covenant. However, do not fail to keep your side of the agreement afterwards.
Eli thought Hannah was drunk when he saw her red eyes. Hannah explained her pain, and she believed Eli’s word when he assured her of God’s blessing the following year. When God heard Hannah’s prayer, she did not forget her vow. Our first reading today tells us how Hannah returned to the temple with her son, Samuel, to fulfil her vow. Hannah’s thanksgiving was the fulfilment of her vow.
Our responsorial psalm today, like Mary’s song of thanksgiving in today’s Gospel passage, contains Hannah’s prayer of gratitude to God for answering her prayer. In it, Hannah recognises that God favours the humble and brings down the proud: “Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. (1 Samuel 2:5).”
Dear friends, let us examine our hearts. Are there promises you made to God when things were tough for you, yet long after God heard your prayer, you refused to fulfil your part? Do you even remember God when things are going well for you? Are you currently facing a storm? Don’t worry; storms do not last forever. Keep telling yourself, “This too shall pass.” Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.
Today’s Gospel passage contains Mary’s song of thanksgiving, which she sang when she visited her kinswoman, Elizabeth. From this song, we learn the importance of expressing gratitude to God for His innumerable blessings in our lives. It is all too easy to complain when things are not going fine, but it is pretty challenging to give thanks to God when we are blessed. Do not be so fixated by your problems that you become blind to your blessings when they come.
Mary could have decided to focus on the challenges ahead of her, knowing that she had become pregnant with God. She must have had several questions, yet she looked only at the positive side; how an ordinary girl like her (God’s handmaid) would receive honour and praise from all generations for being the mother of God. Learn to look on the positive side of any situation you find yourself in, and you will find reasons to give thanks.
Through their songs of thanksgiving, Hannah and Mary prove their deep understanding of God, who always brings down the proud and exalts the humble. Are you finding it very difficult to praise God? Do you think you have no reason to give thanks to God or sing like Hannah and Mary? It is because you have become proud and you assume you own your life; you have become too entitled to think that God owes you or that He has failed to do His job. You are angry because you think you know better than God for refusing to grant your desires.
Dear friends, whatever your life holds right now, no matter how little you have, give thanks to God. Take some time out today to sing songs of gratitude. Thank God for all your blessings this year. Thank God for everything. Thank God for the hope you have of seeing a new year. Drop your pride. Forget your questions. Let go of your anger and pain. Sing to God. Fulfil your vows like Hannah, and if you have nothing to offer, give Him the gift of your time – sing praises from the depths of your heart for one hour.
Let us pray: O God, who, seeing the human race fallen into death, willed to redeem it by the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that those who confess his Incarnation with humble fervour may merit his company as their Redeemer. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (22 December Liturgical Colour: Purple. Bible Study: 1 Sam. 1:24-28, 1 Sam. 2:1,4-8, Luke 1:46-56)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu