Thursday of the Fourth Week in Advent
As a new father, it’s hard for me to understand what Hannah is doing in today’s first reading. It’s strange to me that she would pray to the Lord to give birth to a child, then give him back to the Lord when he was just three years old (unless of course he was a VERY precocious three-year-old!). Perhaps Hannah thought that dedicating a child to God is the best thing anyone could possibly do for her child, and it represented a great gift of thanks to God. Or, perhaps she knew that this amazing act would be talked about all through town, proclaiming the greatness of God.
Mary’s song in today’s gospel reading does just that: “My spirit proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” Some translations are “My soul magnifies the Lord.” As big and omni-present as our God is, we have the privilege of making the Lord known and visible here on Earth. We can magnify the almighty Creator of the universe. How do we respond to such a call?
Amazingly, both of the women in today’s readings were not simply doing what God commanded. The angel Gabriel didn’t tell Mary to praise the Lord after she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. When Eli prophesied that Hannah would have a son, he didn’t demand that her son be dedicated to the Lord, beginning at age 3. Hannah and Mary both spontaneously act in gratitude for God’s goodness and generosity towards them.
What has God done for you today? This week? This year? Take time to remember the many blessings showered upon you and those you love… We are so blessed in this life, despite the many sorrows that we encounter. How will you respond today to God’s generosity? May Hannah and especially Holy Mary our mother be our model. Amen!
- Chris Nieport