1 Samuel 1:19-28 (NRSV)
Hannah presents Samuel to God
They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, "I have asked him of the Lord."
The man Elkanah and all his household went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and to pay his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of the Lord, and remain there forever; I will offer him as a nazirite for all time." Her husband Elkanah said to her, "Do what seems best to you, wait until you have weaned him; only may the Lord establish his word." So the woman remained and nursed her son, until she weaned him. When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three year old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh; and the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. And she said, "Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord."
She left him there for the Lord.
Reflection
A sacrifice of a life is made here. A life given to God. It takes a mother to give her only son to God. Hannah exhibits the traits of God the Father in giving her only son. Jesus was given for me and for you. Jesus life was dedicated to me and you to save us from what was to kill us. Samuel was given in service to God to lead God's people and guide them. Jesus was given to us to lead and guide us to new life in him.
Both point to God. Both show the path to the Father. Then we discover that in Jesus we have life and love. We love because God first loved us, just as Hannah loved enough to permit her to give her son Samuel to God, we live to give our sons and daughters and even ourselves to God.
Prayer
Lord, may my sons, daughters, wife and myself always point to you in word, service and love for you and all you give to us day after day. --- Amen
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