December 19th - Reflection

1 Samuel 1:1-18 (NRSV)
Hannah is promised a child
There was a certain man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

Now this man used to go up year by year from his town to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year; as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?"

After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. She made this vow: "O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head."

As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, "How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine." But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time." Then Eli answered, "Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him." And she said, "Let your servant find favor in your sight." Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer.

Reflection
Oh to have a son in those times. How much this meant. Even to have a girl would be nice, but to have a son would be grand, even one. Hannah was probably jealous and her desire was even greater when Elkanah went to offer sacrifice. Most of the sacrifice went towards Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, and her children. Elkanah even tried to make Hannah feel somewhat better by offering a double portion.

Hannah wept before Eli the priest to the point that Eli thought her to be drunk. Hannah was in deep prayer for a son. But Hannah did not ask this son for herself only. She asked for this son to serve God. She would only have her son for a little while when the son was young.

Do you see Jesus? God gave his Son to us to live, teach, heal, suffer, die and to rise again. God offered up his Son for you and me. Just as Hannah offered her son to God, we too can offer ourselves, our sons, our daughters, and all people up to God to fulfill the work God has in store for each one of us. Important work that brings life to all the world. As we follow Jesus, we love him by loving others. We serve God by loving others, even and especially the least who are the greatest. What an honor and joy to share with Hannah that gift! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, Hannah wasn't drunk, she was filled with your Spirit. Fill the lives of all that we may reach out in a service of love to those you give to us today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen