Daily Reflection for Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Wednesday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122221.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28
Responsorial: 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd
Gospel: Luke 1:46-56
Our reflection on Wednesday’s readings:
Now I, in turn, give him (Samuel) to the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:28
In today’s readings from 1 Samuel and Luke, I am struck by the power of a mother’s love for her child. I know that love. It includes an overwhelming need to protect. How could Hannah and Mary, in the days of altar sacrifices, offer their sons back to God?
We dedicate our children to God when we present them for baptism. I envisioned that sacrament as the ultimate protection for my beloved children. That day they were welcomed into our Christian community. It was not a sacrifice. It was a blessing. It was spiritual protection for my child. I will never stop praying for God to surround and protect my loved ones.
What gave Mary and Hannah the strength to deny their overwhelming instinct to protect their sons? Scripture tells us that it was their love for God. I believe that is true, but it was even more. They trusted God more than anything.
Mary and Hannah knew deep in their souls how much God loved them. Knowing and experiencing the great love of the Father for them personally gave them complete trust. Trust, even with the potential for the worst nightmare a mother could experience. Trust that went beyond what they wanted.
How many of us today, have that kind of love and trust in God? Enough trust to let go of what we want? Enough trust to follow the Son whom the Father sent to teach and demonstrate how we should live?
As Christians, can we experience God’s love, His presence in our lives, family, community, country, and the world if we ignore what he sent His son to teach us?
Is it possible that God’s presence in the world is manifested when we trust and follow Jesus’ teachings?
Mary and Hannah trusted and dedicated their all to God. I pray we can do the same.
Blessings to you,
Ruth Mytty