Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Readings – I Samuel 1: 4-20; I Samuel 2: 1-10; Hebrews 10: 11-15; Mark 13: 1-8
When [Jesus] was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite theMark 13: 3-4
temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately,
tell us, when this [when the reign of God will be fully enacted
on earth] will be…
The most intimate of the disciples of Jesus were looking for an end to their current troubled times, and awaiting the glorious triumph of God’s reign to begin here on earth. They were ready to enjoy God’s reign, and to enjoy their roles in it.
Wouldn’t we all? Wouldn’t we all like to welcome in the reign of God, and enjoy peace on earth and goodwill toward all?
But that is not the story of God’s people, is it!
Today we are reminded of Hannah and her story.
Year after year Hannah went to the temple in Shiloh, a center of northern Israel, to worship with her husband, Elkanah, and his other wife, Peninnah. Peninnah had sons and daughters, and reveled in them, while Hannah had none.
At Shiloh, Hannah, “deeply distressed”, prayed to the Lord God. She poured out her heart. Her heart desired to give birth to a son. While today we may question her heart’s desire, in ancient times this was Hannah’s. The priest of Shiloh, Eli, heard her mumbling, and thought she was a “drunken spectacle”. Misunderstood, Hannah challenged his judgment. Hannah challenged his understanding – standing up to the priest.
No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled… I have been pouring
out my soul before the Lord God… Do not regard your servant as
a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great
anxiety and vexation all this time…
The challenged priest, startled I am sure, listened to her plight and blessed her.
Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made…
Hannah rejoined her husband, being heard by God as well as by Eli. Unburdened, she returned to her home in Ramah, and soon bore a son whom she named Samuel – “I have asked him of the Lord”.
When he was weaned, she presented him to the Lord God at the temple in Shiloh to assist the elderly, Eli. Year after year she visited him and clothed him. When Eli died, Samuel became the priest at Shiloh, eventually anointing Saul as the first king of Israel, and then King David who followed.
Through tough times Hannah persisted; Hannah prayed; Hannah challenged Eli’s perception; Hannah stood her ground. Hannah was a strong woman of faith – one of our ancestors. In tough times she fought through challenges to offer herself and her beloved son to God’s service, to do God’s work.
Friends, in tough times Hannah did not expect God to come down and make all things right, like the Peter, James, John, and Andrew we heard about in the Good News according to St. Mark. She went after it!
As her descendants, we are to do the same! We are to get after it!
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews said it like this —
provoke one another to love and good deeds…
meet together… encourage one another…
Hannah was bold before her family, before Eli, and before her God.
Hannah was faithful.
In our challenging times, may we be bold before our family, before those in authority, and before our God, as we walk our faith each and every day.
It is on us!
Let’s get after it!
Amen
