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.
REFLECTION
The name of Samuel in Hebrew means "God has heard." Have you prayed for something or someone and felt that God wasn't listening?
In the reading today, Hannah is with her husband Elkanah and his family on a pilgrimage to Shiloh. There he would pray and offer sacrifice to the Lord. (1 Samuel 1:1-8)
Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had several children but Hannah was barren. (1 Samuel 1:1-8) During those times barren women were scorned by other women as being cursed or not blessed by God.
Her husband, Elkanah was concerned about Hannah because she would not eat and she was weeping. In her desparation, she left and went to the temple to pray. Hannah petitioned the Lord weeping. She prayed silently asking the Lord to give her a son. Her prayer was coming from deep within her heart.
The priest, Eli, watched her as she continue to pray for a long time.
He thought she was drunk and he questioned her. She explained, “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 dismissed her and told her to leave in peace and may God answer her prayer. God did answer Hannah's prayer.
Hannah fasted and prayed from her heart for God to answer her prayer. She persevered ridicule and mistreatment but did not give up on asking for God's help. God did answer her prayer and she had a son whom she named Samuel.
God teaches us throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Bible that when prayer is combined with fasting; it is more powerful.
We fast and pray during Lent to get closer to God; to repent; and to imitate Jesus. We can also fast and pray as the Blessed Mother Mary prescribes, pray and fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.
We have so much to pray for today. Let us make our prayers more powerful by praying from our hearts and fasting.
Let us pray for the intercession of the Holy Spirit and our Blessed Mother Mary for peace in our families, communities, and in the world.
Comments