The History of the People of God - 2. From God's Hands

WORD 2day: Tuesday, First week in Ordinary time

January 9, 2024 - 1 Samuel 1:9-20; Mark 1: 21-28

In the "ordinary" history of the people of God, there is one remarkable experience that cannot be missed - the experience of the providence of God - a God who provides, not just some things that we need, but every element that will make our life meaningful. Today we see in the first reading Hannah praying for the grace of a child and she receives it. The lesson that is given for us, follows that moment: when Hannah recognises that moment of grace, she acknowledges that she received that child from God's hands -"Samuel, for I asked God for him!"

In the Gospel we find a group of people who were wondering at what Jesus was saying and doing, the meaningful and powerful words, and the unbelievable things he was doing. They were astonished at the authority that Jesus was manifesting - certainly they knew what Jesus knew, that the authority came from above. They were not ready to acknowledge that - those were from God's hands.

Jesus lived his life and call to the full and there were manifestations of the authority that God had invested in him... he imparts us a simple and clear teaching: when we live our lives to the full and go all out to do what God wants us to do, what we need, we shall receive at the right time, from God's hands. That was the experience of the people of Israel, and that shall always be the experience of the people of God. But we need to grow in that identity and experience, ready to recognise and acknowledge all that we receive, from God's hands.