Who Do You Turn To?

Our first reading comes from 1 Samuel. What was proclaimed at the Liturgy was the latter part of Chapter One (1). But the initial verses of this book helps set the tone for what we heard. The invitation is for you to do so once you arrive home and then re-read this portion of 1 Samuel 1. But in the meantime, to offer you a brief overview that gives the setting in which our first reading resides. Elkanah had two wives. One named Hannah, the other Peninnah; Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. When the day came for Elkanah to offer sacrifice at Shiloh, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and all her sons and daughters. But he would give a double portion to Hannah because he loved her even though the Lord had closed her womb. The sacrifice was an annual event. Because of her barrenness, Peninnah would constantly torment Hannah. Hannah would refuse to eat despite the pleadings of her husband. After one such meal at Shiloh, Hannah presented herself to the Lord. Eli, the priest, saw her. In the bitterness, she prayed to the Lord, weeping freely. In her prayer, she pleaded for a male child. And she promised she would give him to the Lord all the days of his life. In her silent praying, Eli watched her. Her lips moved but no voice was heard. Eli thinks she is drunk and scolds her. In protest, Hannah lets Eli know that she is sober, not drunk. It is her deep sorrow and misery that Eli is witnessing. Having heard her, Eli wishes her well and offers support that the God of Israel grants her request. When Elkanah and Hannah returned to their home in Ramah, she conceives a child, Samuel…And as Paul Harvey used to say, “And now you know the rest of the story”. The conclusion is what was proclaimed as our First Reading this weekend. So, when you are in the depths of sorrow and misery, to whom do you turn? Do you wallow in your feelings? Do you share them with another? Are you misunderstood? Do you turn to the Lord with your concerns, feelings and requests? Each experience of life can be a starting point to take time to be with the Lord: in prayer, in presence and in faith. As we celebrate the feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph this weekend, look to your own family and see how yours reflects and imitates what we know of the Holy Family

Msgr. Mike