1Samuel 1:24-28; Psalm – 1Samuel 2:1, 4-8; Luke 1:46-56
Hannah (Samuel’s mother) was barren and had implored the Lord in earnest and fervent prayers to give her a child. Eventually, the Lord blessed her with a son and after she had weaned the infant Samuel, she brought the child to the temple at Shiloh in fulfillment of the promise she had made.
Hannah gave thanks to the Lord with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, together with a beautiful hymn of praise. Today’s psalm taking from the First book of Samuel presents us with Hannah’s hymn of praise which also doubles as Mary’s hymn of praise in the gospel.
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation…” (Luke 1:46-56).
The Hymn goes to show the similarities between these two women. Hannah can be understood as a type, a foreshadow, or a whisper of Mary. We may learn so much from them, including how to persevere in the face of ongoing adversity, pray fervently, and express gratitude to God.
LET US PRAY
O God, who, seeing the human race fallen into death, willed to redeem it by the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that those who confess his Incarnation with humble fervor may merit his company as their Redeemer. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
