Opening Prayer

God, source of all power,
we like to imagine that we can do great things,
but when it comes to your work,
to your kingdom of truth and justice,
we have to recognize, perhaps grudgingly,
that we are weak and ineffective.
Help us to acknowledge this weakness
not as defeat, but as our real strength,
to let your power reveal itself
in suffering, in struggles,
and in gentleness and love,
which you show us in Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Lord for ever.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Introduction:

Extraordinary vocations are at times described in the bible in terms of barrenness, which, through prayer and faith in God's power, produces life. It underlines God's gratuitous grace, God's power, and also the difficulty, the struggle of faith, to lead to redemption. Samuel then became the fruit of prayer and faith in God's power.

First Reading: 1 Sm 1:9–20

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.

Responsorial Psalm: 1 Sm 2:1, 4 – 5, 6–7, 8abcd

R/ My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

“My heart exults in the LORD,
my horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies;
I rejoice in my victory.”
R/ My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

“The bows of the mighty are broken,
while the tottering gird on strength.
The well-fed hire themselves out for bread,
while the hungry batten on spoil.
The barren wife bears seven sons,
while the mother of many languishes.”
R/ My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

“The LORD puts to death and gives life;
he casts down to the nether world;
he raises up again.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
he humbles, he also exalts.”
R/ My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

“He raises the needy from the dust;
from the dung heap he lifts up the poor,
To seat them with nobles
and make a glorious throne their heritage.”
R/ My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

Gospel Introduction:

In the gospel, Mark shows the power of God at work in Jesus, the Messiah. It is a power that is contested by the powers of evil, that must struggle and come to grip with contradiction and suffering, but which will ultimately win – through struggle and contradiction. Such is also the power of God today in the world, the power of God in answer to our faith and prayer.

Gospel Reading: Mark 1:21-28

Jesus and his disciples went into the town of Capernaum and began to teach in the synagogue during the sabbath assemblies. The people were astonished at the way he taught, for he spoke as one having authority and not like the teachers of the Law.

It happened that a man with an evil spirit was in their synagogue and he shouted, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: You are the Holy One of God." Then Jesus faced him and said with authority, "Be silent and come out of this man!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and, with a loud shriek, came out of him.

All the people were astonished and they wondered, "What is this? With what authority he preaches! He even orders evil spirits and they obey him!" And Jesus' fame spread throughout all the country of Galilee.