Miniature from the Paris Psalter, Tenth Century
Bibliothèque nationale de France
from wikimedia commons via Vanderbilt University Divinity Library
This year of grace is almost over! Next Sunday is Reign of Christ / Christ the King, and then it's Advent, with quiet, yearning, hope-filled days and nights. Every Advent
we hear and sing Mary's Magnificat
that evokes parts of Hannah's hymn of praise. Advent is only two weeks away, and how serendipitous that one of today's readings is part of Hannah's story; the responsive psalm to the reading from 1 Samuel is Hannah's lyrical song.
Jesus' mother Mary heard, learned, and memorized scripture through synagogue attendance and probably from scripture reading and teaching at home by her parents. Mary's words were Spirit-inspired, but she was able to express herself so beautifully because she knew Hannah's song by heart and carried it with her.
• The alternate first reading, 1 Samuel 1:4-20, tells part of the story of Hannah.
• Here is a synopsis of Hannah's story that includes expressive paintings along with detailed scriptural background.
1 Samuel 2:1-10
1 Hannah prayed and said,
"My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God.
My mouth derides my enemies because I rejoice in your victory.
2 There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
3 "Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance come from your mouth,
for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by God actions are weighed.
4 "The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.
The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.
6 The Lord kills and brings to life; God brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 "The Lord makes poor and makes rich; brings low and also exalts.
8 God raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them he has set the world.
9 "God will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked will perish in darkness, for not by might does one prevail.
10 The Lord's adversaries will be shattered; the Most High will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; and will give strength to the king and exalt the power of his anointed."
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