First Reading (1Sm 1,9-20)
Reading of the First Book of Samuel.
In those days, Hannah got up after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat at the door of the temple of the Lord. Ana, with a heart full of bitterness, prayed to the Lord, shedding copious tears. And he made this promise, saying: “Lord Almighty, if you look upon the affliction of your handmaid and remember me, and if you do not forget your handmaid and give her a male child, I will offer him to you for all days of his life, and no razor will come upon his head.”
As she lingered in prayers before the Lord, Eli watched the movement of his lips. Ana, however, just murmured; her lips moved, but no words could be heard. Eli thought she was drunk; so he said to her: “How long will you be drunk? It will cure this drunkenness!”
Ana, however, replied: “That’s not it, my lord! I’m just a very unhappy woman; I did not drink wine or anything else that could make you drunk, but I poured out my soul in the presence of the Lord. Do not judge your servant as a lost woman, for it was because of the excess of my pain and my affliction that I have spoken until now.”
Eli then said to him, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you asked of him.” She replied, “May your servant find grace before your eyes.” And the woman went away, she ate and her face was no longer the same.
The next morning, she and her husband got up very early and, after worshiping the Lord, returned to their home in Ramah. Elkanah was united with Hannah, his wife, and the Lord remembered her. Hannah conceived and, in due time, gave birth to a son and named him Samuel, because – she said – “I asked him from the Lord”.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (Mc 1,21b-28)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Being with his disciples in Capernaum, Jesus, on a Sabbath day, entered the synagogue and began to teach. Everyone was amazed at his teaching, as he taught as someone with authority, not as teachers of the Law.
There was then a man in the synagogue possessed by an evil spirit. He shouted: What do you want from us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: you are the Holy One of God. Jesus commanded him: Shut up and get out of him!
Then the evil spirit shook the man violently, gave a loud scream and left. And they were all very astonished and asked one another: What is this? A new teaching given with authority: He even commands evil spirits, and they obey! And the fame of Jesus soon spread far and wide, throughout the whole region of Galilee.
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Refletindo a Palavra de Deus
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Peace and grace be with you! Today, I would like to share with you a message inspired by the biblical passages from the First Reading, taken from the first book of Samuel, and the Gospel according to Mark. These stories offer us valuable lessons to face life’s adversities and find liberation and healing in Jesus.
Imagine for a moment a familiar scenario. You are at home, amidst your daily activities, when suddenly a challenging situation arises before you. Perhaps it’s a financial problem that seems insurmountable, a family conflict that brings pain to the heart, or an illness that afflicts the soul. We all face challenges in our lives, moments when we feel powerless and lost.
It is in these moments that biblical stories come to life and offer us a ray of hope. In the First Reading, we meet Hannah, a woman burdened by infertility. She longed to have a child, but with each passing year, her hopes diminished. The pain of infertility accompanied her daily, like a shadow that seemed never to fade.
However, Hannah did not give in to despair. She brought her concerns to the Lord in fervent prayer. With tears in her eyes, she poured out her heart before God, placing her trust in His mighty hands. Hannah teaches us that even in the most difficult situations, prayer can be a source of comfort and strength. By trusting in God and expressing our concerns to Him, we find comfort and hope.
How often do we forget the power of prayer in our lives? Our words directed to God can transform our reality and bring us closer to the divine. Like Hannah, we must allow ourselves to pour out our hearts before God, confident that He hears us and embraces us with His love. Prayer is a channel of communion with the Creator of the Universe, a means by which we can find strength and wisdom to face the challenges around us.
In the passage from the Gospel according to Mark, we find Jesus teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. The people were amazed at the authority with which He taught, for His words were unlike anything they had heard before. But what happens next is truly extraordinary. A man possessed by an unclean spirit approaches Jesus, crying out for liberation.
This man was imprisoned by darkness, tormented by the evil presence in his life. He lived a debilitating existence, without hope and peace. However, when Jesus commands the unclean spirit to leave him, a transformation occurs. The man is freed and healed; his life is restored by the power of Jesus.
This story shows us that, in the face of the forces of evil around us, we can find liberation and healing in the power of Jesus. He is our Savior, the one who has authority over darkness and can rescue us from any adverse situation. Just like the possessed man, we can cry out to Jesus, trusting in His mercy and power to free us from sin, oppression, and despair.
Dear brothers and sisters, these biblical stories challenge us to act according to our faith. They invite us to bring our concerns and difficulties to God in prayer, trusting in His loving response. They call us to recognize the authority of Jesus in our lives and seek His liberation and healing. And, above all, they inspire us to live as witnesses of divine love and hope in our world.
But how can we apply these lessons in our daily lives? Allow me to share some practical guidelines.
First, prayer must be an essential part of our spiritual journey. Let us dedicate daily time to connect with God in prayer, finding a quiet place where we can focus and converse with Him. Let us be transparent in our prayers, sharing our longings, fears, and gratitude. And let us remember that prayer is not just speaking but also listening to God’s voice in our hearts.
Furthermore, like Hannah, we can seek the support of our faith community. Let us share our concerns with our brothers and sisters in faith, seeking encouragement, advice, and joint prayers. The unity of the community strengthens us and reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles.
Regarding the authority of Jesus, I invite you to reflect on the areas of our lives where we feel the oppression of sin, fear, or sadness. Let us surrender these areas to Jesus, allowing Him to exercise His authority and free us. This may require confession, repentance, and a change of direction in our lives. Let us be courageous in facing these situations, trusting that Jesus is with us, ready to restore us.
Additionally, as a faith community, we need to be attentive to the needs of others. Just as Jesus heard the cry of the possessed man, we must be willing to listen to the pains and struggles of our brothers and sisters. Let us be agents of healing and liberation, offering words of encouragement, practical support, and prayers for those going through difficulties.
Dear friends, as I conclude this homily, I want to remind you that the divine grace, love, and hope are available to each one of us. No matter how challenging the circumstances we face, God is present, ready to listen, liberate, and heal us.
I invite you to embrace the lessons from these biblical passages in your daily lives. Make prayer a priority, seeking communion with God. Acknowledge the authority of Jesus in all areas of your lives, allowing Him to free and heal you. And, as a faith community, let us be instruments of healing and liberation for those around us.
May the grace of God be with you as you walk this journey of faith. May His love strengthen you and His hope inspire you. And may the light of Christ shine in your lives, illuminating the path ahead.
Let us pray: Dear God, we thank you for Your living and powerful Word. Grant us the grace to apply these lessons in our daily lives. Give us the courage to bring our concerns to You in prayer and the confidence to surrender to You the areas of oppression in our lives. May we be living witnesses of Your love and hope in our world. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
May God bless you all.
