[ Today's Readings ]
Hannah is honest and unguarded before the LORD. She isn't praying just for the sake of appearances. Her prayer comes from deep in her heart.
my prayer has been prompted by my deep sorrow and misery.
Are we able to be as honest with God as Hannah?
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us (cf. Psalm 62).
And yet while Hannah does pray for her deepest desires she does not do so in an entirely selfish way.
if you remember me and do not forget me,
if you give your handmaid a male child,
I will give him to the LORD for as long as he lives;
neither wine nor liquor shall he drink,
and no razor shall ever touch his head.
She says, 'LORD, this is what I want. If you give it to me I will return to you.' We have nothing to offer God but what he gives us. God works through Hannah's desire for a son and through it brings about all of the good that Samuel does. From Hannah we learn not to hide the deepest desires of our hearts. We learn that even in these God is working to bring about his plans for us.
We need to get rid of the superficial desires for things of earth in order to recognize the deeper call of God on our hearts. We need to sort through the demons in each of us. Fortunately we serve one who is stronger than these demons.
Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!”
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
“What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
His authority can cast away distractions and reveal his call to us in the depths of our beings. His authority can bring that call on our lives to fruition. We in turn must spread his fame.
My heart exults in the LORD,
my horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies;
I rejoice in my victory.
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