Dear Friends in Christ, today’s first reading speaks of barrenness, a reality many couples still face today. When I began reading and meditating on it, my mind turned to God’s first command to humanity, often referred to as the “Creation Mandate”: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth…” (Cfr Genesis 1:28). This command is both a blessing and a responsibility entrusted to humanity for the care of creation. However, the story of the barrenness of Hannah speaks of more than the absence of a child. It reveals a life of faith transformed by suffering, prayer, and complete trust in God. In the Gospel, we encounter a man tormented by an impure spirit that deprived him of freedom and dignity. In each of these two situations, the power of God’s love is manifested in a remarkable way.
Hannah’s Pain and Social Struggle : Years of barrenness must have been deeply painful
and heart-wrenching for Hannah. In her culture (as is still the case in many
cultures), childlessness brought personal grief, public shame and social
exclusion. To make matters worse, her rival Peninnah taunted her relentlessly.
Even her husband Elkanah did not grasp the depth of her sorrow. “Am I not
more to you that ten sons?”, he asked.
Turning to God in
Despair: Hannah didn’t let despair overcome her. Instead, she
turned to God with everything she had. The Hebrew test says she was “bitter
of soul”, (1 Sam 1:10). She poured out all her pains before the Lord. She
promised that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him completely to God’s
service as a Nazirite from birth.
Even at Siloh, God’s
house, Hannah faced misunderstanding. The priest Eli saw her lips moving and
thought she was drunk. Imagine coming to Church with a heavy heart and being
judged instead of comforted! Still, Hannah didn’t lash out. She simply explained:
“I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord.” She remained humble
in her prayer. I think we can learn from her inner posture before God. The Book
of Lamentation (2:19). reminds says: “Pour out your heart like a water
before the presence of the Lord.” Surrendering to God truly brings inner
healing and liberation.
Faithfulness and Humility
Brings Hope : Hannah’s faithfulness and humility
touched hearts. Eli, who first judged her, became a source of blessing to her
and prayed that God would grant her request. Hannah left the temple with a
renewed spirit and a heart full of hope. Hannah’s story is an invitation to
trust God with the deepest parts of ourselves.
Jesus’ Authority in the Synagogue: In the Gospel of Mark, we encounter the
liberating power of Jesus. He has just called His first disciples, and together
they enter the synagogue in Capernaum. As He teaches, the people are struck by
the power in His words. As Jesus preached, the evil spirit tormenting a man
cries out. But Jesus wasn’t rattled by his reaction. With a simple command, “Be
quiet. Come out of him.”, He set the man free. The crowd was amazed by the
authority and compassion in Jesus’s voice.
Unlike Hannah, who was
able to pray, this man was so enslaved that he could not even ask for help. His
inability to ask for help did not stop Jesus from acting on his behalf. His
story shows us that God comes to our rescue even when we no longer have the
strength to cry out to Him.
Today’s readings teach us
that God meets us in the ordinary places of our lives. There may be moments
when our faith is tested by misunderstanding or even ridicule. Let us always
remember that God never abandons us.
Hannah reminds us that we
can pray even when words fail. God answers our humble
prayers. Jesus shows us the true authority of God; His word sets us free, gives
us light and restores our dignity.
As we begin this new
year, may we, like Hannah, pour out our hearts before God. When we keep turning
to Him in prayer and open ourselves to His Word, new life begins to grow within
us.
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