In today’s reflection on the daily mass readings, Fr Richard considers how God can work through the most unlikely of circumstances – misunderstandings, distress, and confusion – to bring about his healing.
Readings for Tuesday of the first week of ordinary time: 1 Samuel 1:9-20; Psalm 2:1, 4-5, 6-8; Mark 1.21-28. Text of readings can be found here.
I have never really got the hang of ear buds, those little, wireless devices that you stick in your ears and which can connect to your smartphone through the magic of bluetooth. I have tried them, but they never seemed to work, always seemed to fall out, or I would lose them (or perhaps worse than that, just lose one!). Because I don’t use them myself, I am still surprised when I see others doing so. Many times, when out for a walk or on public transport, I have assumed that someone is having an animated conversation with themself (or trying to speak to me!). No phone in sight, it’s not immediately clear that they are in fact talking to someone but via their ear buds.
We see a similar misunderstanding in our first reading today. Hannah is in distress because she is unable to have children. What made matters worse, as we heard in yesterday’s reading, was that her husband’s other wife, who did have children, taunted her about this. Her prayer is so heartfelt that she does not say it out loud. Only her lips move, which makes Eli the priest think that she is drunk – no doubt adding to her turmoil. Yet what we discover is that God is able to work through these imperfect circumstances. A prayer offered from the depths of sorrow; a person perhaps not knowing even what words to use; and a religious professional assuming the worst. Her prayer is nonetheless answered, and she becomes the mother of the great Samuel.
In the Gospel we have another difficult situation, as the peace and order of the synagogue service on the Sabbath is disrupted by the man with the unclean spirit crying out and recognising Jesus’ status and authority. But this too becomes a moment for healing, as Jesus commands the unclean spirit to leave the man. Whenever we encounter times of misunderstanding, confusion, distress or chaos, may we always remember that God can work through these moments and demonstrate both his power and his love.
Mass tonight is in St Mary’s at 6.30pm
If you’d like more resources for daily prayer then check out our Day By Day pages.
South Cardiff Ministry Area 