One of the most delightful pieces of news we hear and see each January 1st is the first babies of the New Year who were born after midnight. These now famous babies are proudly being shown to the viewers by their joyous parents.
Our first reading today, however, tells a very different story. We heard about a woman of the Old Testament named Hannah who longed and lamented for a child, but despite her many tears and heartfelt prayers, she remained barren.
What we hear in this reading is Hannah pouring out her heart to God in prayer of anguish. In her desperation, she made a vow and said:
“O LORD of hosts,
if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid,
and remember me,
and not forget your handmaid,
but will give to your handmaid a man child,
then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life…”
Hannah was so wanting a child that she was even willing to dedicate her child to God. What that meant was that she would bear a son, raise him until he was between 3~5 years old, then give him to the Temple so he could learn and do sacred service. She and her husband would only see him once a year after that when they came to the Temple to perform their yearly offerings. Think of how difficult that would be for any mother to do.
By the grace of God, Hannah did have a son and named him Samuel. Because Hannah dedicated him to God, Samuel’s time in the Temple transformed him into Israel’s final Judge and first prophet. During Israel’s era of chaos, he established stability. He became one of the most influential leaders of the Old Testament. We will hear more about this great Samuel in the rest of this week’s readings.
Our responsorial psalm today is Hannah’s beautiful prayer of thanksgiving to God, which, as you may have noticed, bears a striking resemblance to Mary’s Magnificat. Indeed, Hannah’s prayer was the model for Mary’s prayer.
Hannah was a marvelous woman of faith and trust, and we can learn many things from her, not the least of which is to wait on God actively, patiently, prayerfully and thankfully. For Hannah, God gave her this long awaited child and eventually, 3 more sons and 2 daughters. (1Samuel 2:21)
May we praise and pray to God with the same sincerity and longing as Hannah. God, indeed, is well deserving of our prayer for all that God has done for us. And may we remember the words of St. Augustine who reminds us of the power of prayer when he says:
- If we pray well, we will live well.
- If we live well, we will die well.
- And if we die well, all will be well.
