His Promise to Our Fathers December 22

His Promise to Our Fathers December 22

http://www.usccb.org/nab/122206.shtml

Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD. She left him there. Samuel 1:28

He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. Luke 1:54-55

Piety

God, as you approach and prepare to deliver your Son to us in the coming days, please hear us pour out our troubles to you. As you heard and answered the prayers of Hannah, please lend an ear to our prayers. Remember your promise to us and give just consideration to our petitions. Give us the fortitude of Hannah to stand by our commitments to you as you stand by your commitments to us. Help us to deliver on the deeds we promise – active love – not just values espoused but in values put into life. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/122206.shtml

Let’s go back a few verses before moving ahead. In the Hebrew Bible book of Samuel, we are first introduced to his parents. In Luke’s Gospel, we first meet the parents of John the Baptist and Jesus. The author presents Elkanah and his two wives![1] One wife was blessed to provide Elkanah with many sons but the other – Hannah – was barren, like Elizabeth. One day in the temple, she prayed while crying:

“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.” Samuel 1:11

Hannah joins a line of faithful Biblical women whose personal story narrative shares and foretells numerous elements which point our salvation narrative toward the Nativity in Bethlehem.

· A barren wife unable to bear children.

· A prayer to God from his “handmaiden”.

· A woman pouring out her troubles to the Lord (in Mary’s case the trouble was learning she was pregnant before her wedding, in Elizabeth’s it was her age and physical state and a now mute husband).

· A pledge of obedience and surrender.

· An offering of a child.

· A loving and forgiving God who answers prayers and remembers the plight of His people.

· Grateful people who do not forget that God answered their prayers and they owe him some consideration in return.

Action

Hannah’s mindset when she prayed in the temple was certainly not one of centering prayer, contemplation, or meditation. We learn that her disposition was rather resentful. “In her bitterness she prayed to the LORD, weeping copiously.”

Think how you feel when unfairly and unflatteringly compared to a rival. How have you gotten over or gotten past those feelings?

When have you poured out your troubles to the Lord, like Hannah? What do you need to ask the Lord to correct in your life?

The humility of Zechariah, Elizabeth and John the Baptist reveal important examples that may help us get past our indignation.

Zechariah was not portrayed as angry with the loss of his voice even knowing that his child would never hear his voice. Elizabeth was not jealous of her most holy cousin Mary. And John was not jealous that people thought he was the Messiah when he was not. John prepared the final steps along the way. He talked about Jesus and said that he (John) was not fit to tie the thong of Jesus’ sandal.

We see many instances in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament where those who pour out their needs to the Lord have their prayers answered. Go ahead. Try it. Don’t be afraid. Be prepared to get that gift for which you pray.

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[1] Yes as in bigamy. Fortunately, Jesus changes everything including the view of marriage. Times and customs changed so we don’t need to dwell on bigamy as a family value!