Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 306
Reading I
1 Samuel 1:9-20
Hannah rose after a meal at Shiloh,
and presented herself before the LORD;
at the time, Eli the priest was sitting on a chair
near the doorpost of the LORD’s temple.
In her bitterness she prayed to the LORD, weeping copiously,
and she made a vow, promising: “O LORD of hosts,
if you look with pity on the misery of your handmaid,
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.”
As she remained long at prayer before the LORD,
Eli watched her mouth, for Hannah was praying silently;
though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard.
Eli, thinking her drunk, said to her,
“How long will you make a drunken show of yourself?
Sober up from your wine!”
“It isn’t that, my lord,” Hannah answered.
“I am an unhappy woman.
I have had neither wine nor liquor;
I was only pouring out my troubles to the LORD.
Do not think your handmaid a ne’er-do-well;
my prayer has been prompted by my deep sorrow and misery.”
Eli said, “Go in peace,
and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
She replied, “Think kindly of your maidservant,” and left.
She went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband,
and no longer appeared downcast.
Early the next morning they worshiped before the LORD,
and then returned to their home in Ramah.
When Elkanah had relations with his wife Hannah,
the LORD remembered her.
She conceived, and at the end of her term bore a son
whom she called Samuel, since she had asked the LORD for him.
Responsorial Psalm
1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd
R. (see 1) My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“My heart exults in the LORD,
my horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies;
I rejoice in my victory.”
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“The bows of the mighty are broken,
while the tottering gird on strength.
The well-fed hire themselves out for bread,
while the hungry batten on spoil.
The barren wife bears seven sons,
while the mother of many languishes.”
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“The LORD puts to death and gives life;
he casts down to the nether world;
he raises up again.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
he humbles, he also exalts.”
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“He raises the needy from the dust;
from the dung heap he lifts up the poor,
To seat them with nobles
and make a glorious throne their heritage.”
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
Alleluia
See 1 Thessalonians 2:13
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Receive the word of God, not as the word of men,
but as it truly is, the word of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 1:21-28
Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers,
and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are–the Holy One of God!”
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.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
Reflection 1
Catholic Daily Reflections
Confronting the Evil One
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” Mark 1:23–25
There were numerous times when Jesus directly confronted demons in the Scriptures. Each time He rebuked them and exercised His authority over them. The passage above illustrates one such case.
The fact that the devil shows himself over and over in the Gospels tells us that the evil one is real and needs to be dealt with appropriately. And the appropriate way to deal with the evil one and his fellow demons is to rebuke them with the authority of Christ Jesus Himself in a calm but definitive and authoritative way.
It’s very rare that the evil one makes himself fully manifest to us in the way that he did in the passage above to Jesus. The demon speaks directly through this man, which indicates that the man was fully possessed. And though we do not see this form of manifestation often, it doesn’t mean that the evil one is any less active today. Instead, it shows that the authority of Christ is not being exercised by the Christian faithful to the extent that is necessary to combat the evil one. Instead, we often cower in the face of evil and fail to confidently and charitably stand our ground with Christ.
Why did this demon manifest himself in such a visible way? Because this demon was directly confronted with the authority of Jesus. The devil usually prefers to remain hidden and deceptive, presenting himself as an angel of light so that his evil ways are not known clearly. Those whom he controls often do not even know how much they are influenced by the evil one. But when the evil one is confronted with the pure presence of Christ, with the Truth of the Gospel that sets us free, and with Jesus’ authority, this confrontation often forces the evil one to react by manifesting his evil.
Reflect, today, upon the fact that the evil one is constantly at work all around us. Consider the people and circumstances in your life where the pure and holy Truth of God is attacked and rejected. It is in those situations, more than any other, that Jesus wants to bestow upon you His divine authority to confront evil, rebuke it and take authority over it. This is primarily done through prayer and deep trust in the power of God. Don’t be afraid to allow God to use you to confront the activity of the evil one in this world.
Reflection 2
One Bread, One Body
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS?
“I am an unhappy woman.” —1 Samuel 1:15
Hannah was unhappy. She brought her miseries to God and laid them before Him (1 Sm 1:10). This was a wise and fruitful move for Hannah, as God heard and answered her prayers and desires (1 Sm 1:19-20). She found happiness in the Lord’s answer to her prayer.
Many unhappy men and women bring their miseries to alcohol, tobacco, addictions, entertainment, gambling, sexual sins, or other dangerous forms of escape. Sadly, instead of finding happiness, their escaping solves nothing and often only compounds their troubles.
The key to a happy life is not to pursue happiness but to pursue God. Jesus has made it clear that in this life we will have a daily cross to bear (Lk 9:23). Bearing this cross need not result in unhappiness; there can be peace and at times joy in suffering for Jesus (Col 1:24). Carrying our cross with Jesus is even a “special privilege” (Phil 1:29).
God blesses those who seek Him. The word “blessed” can be translated “happy.” Blessed, happy, are those who mourn, are lowly, and suffer persecution (Mt 5:4-5, 10-11). Blessed are those who fear the Lord and obey Him, regardless of the consequences (Ps 112:1). Are you caught up in the pursuit of happiness? Instead, pursue the Lord; “seek first His kingship over you” (Mt 6:33). “Seek the Lord while He may be found” (Is 55:6).
Prayer: Father, may I not seek my own fulfillment, but instead seek the fulfillment of Your will (see Mk 1:15).
Promise: “A completely new teaching in a spirit of authority! He gives orders to unclean spirits and they obey!” —Mk 1:27
Praise: Carolyn overcame her tendency to false guilt and discouragement by repeatedly turning her thoughts to things above (Col 3:2).
Reflection 3
Shared from God's Word
After the eventful Christmas season, the liturgical readings point towards a new beginning. The character and importance of Samuel in the history of Israel is highlighted by describing his pious parents. The piety and fervent prayers of his mother are answered by God by giving her a child. Samuel is a gift of YHWH and he has been given back to YHWH forever. Jesus’ coming was the kairos of time and the Good News of salvation. Jesus begins his ministry proclaiming the Good News and the fullness of time for the Kingdom of God. As Jesus calls his first disciples to be fishers of men, he also reveals his larger plan of the continuation and content of his mission by entering into a variety of healing ministrations. We too are personally called by Jesus to participate in his mission, however uncertain the future be!
Prayers
Lord Jesus, your word is power and life. May I never doubt your love and mercy, and the power of your word that sets us free, and brings healing and restoration to body, mind, heart, and spirit."
Lord, give me courage and wisdom when I face the activity of the evil one in this world. Give me wisdom to discern his hand at work and give me courage to confront and rebuke him with Your love and authority. May Your authority be alive in my life, Lord Jesus, and may I daily become a better instrument of the coming of Your Kingdom as I confront the evil present in this world. Jesus, I trust in You.
Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy
Reflection 9: Meditation at the 3 O’Clock Hour
The Diary of Saint Faustina calls us to a new form of devotion in various ways. The fourth way is by honoring the hour of Jesus’ death every day.
“Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit!” And Jesus breathed His last…
It was at 3 o’clock that Jesus took His last breath and died upon the Cross. It was Friday. For this reason, Friday should always be seen as a special day to honor His Passion and ultimate Sacrifice. But since it took place at 3 o’clock, it is also important to honor that hour each and every day. This is the ideal time to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. If the chaplet is not possible, it’s at least important to pause and give thanks to our Lord every day at that time.
Lord, thank You for the gift of Your ultimate Sacrifice on the Cross. Thank You for surrendering Your life into the Father’s hands in this total gift of Yourself. May I always honor that moment of the day and daily strive to imitate this perfect Sacrifice of love. Jesus, I trust in You.
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