Monday 13th January 2020. Read 1st Samuel 1:1-8, Psalm 115 and
Mark 1:14-20)_
_“Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is
your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” *(1 Samuel 1:8)*_
The story in today’s first reading is one we can easily relate
with as Africans. Elkannah practised polygamy. He had two wives. Hannah was the
first wife but she was childless. Elkannah must have bowed to pressure from the
family to take another wife to have children. Peninnah had children but was
envious of Hannah because Elkannah obviously loved her more. Peninnah provoked
Hannah greatly.
Hannah’s response to Peninnah’s provocation was tears. It got so
bad that she would not even eat. Elkannah tried all he could to console her but
to no avail. Hannah did not know that like Sarah, her barrenness was for a
purpose.
Dear friends, sometimes, God allows bad things to happen to us just to
draw us closer to Himself. No matter what you may be going through, do not let
your response be all about tears alone. Pray. Something good will come out of
your pain eventually.
The arrest of John the Baptist was something bad but it became a
sign for Jesus to begin his work of evangelization. As painful as John’s arrest
was, it was God’s will that this should happen to pave way for Jesus to come
into the scene fully. Like Hannah, John had done nothing wrong to deserve such
pain but God had great plans.
Jesus went about preaching a message that is still relevant
today: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and
believe in the Gospel.” Are you Peninnah? Do you ridicule others
just because they are childless? Repent. Are you Herod, do you try to silence
people for saying the truth? Repent. As a baptised Christian, are you living in
the light? Repent.
Finally, one important lesson we learn from Jesus is that
despite being God, from the very beginning of His ministry, He did not try to
do it alone. He quickly sought out the assistance of others. Never try to do it
alone. Avoid pride by learning to ask for help.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, into your hands, I surrender all my
tears, pains and headaches. As you called the apostles to help you, I devote
myself freely to your service. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have
Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 1st Week
in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1st Samuel 1:1-8, Psalm 115 and Mark 1:14-20).
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