9 January, Tuesday — Hannah and Eli

Tuesday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time

1 Sam 1:9-20
Mk 1:21-28

…for she was speaking under her breath; her lips were moving but her voice could not be heard. He therefore supposed that she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to be in this drunken state? Rid yourself of your wine!”

Gosh, that must have been tough. Here was Hannah literally pleading with the Lord for a male child. Her husband, Elkanah had another wife, Peninnah. She had children and here was Hannah, childless. Peninnah constantly mocked Hannah and this added to her misery. While Elkanah comforted her, Hannah really desired a child of her own.

Already miserable, now Eli the priest, assumes she is drunk. I have worn both shoes – Hannah’s and Eli’s

Hannah

I remember having to make a very important decision and take a step in my life that was contrary to the opinions of a number in my Catholic circle. I filled for a civil divorce and later, a Catholic annulment. While many of those close to me understood why I did what I did, it hurt when there were those who I believe knew and understood me, didn’t. Some even went around sharing my story, without knowing or wanting to know why I had to take this step.

It was the most painful time in my life. My only comfort was the daily mass I would attend before heading to work. It was the time when I would pour my heart and my soul out to God and our Blessed Mother.

Sometimes, I would encounter those who opposed my decision at morning mass. It was an awful feeling being ignored during the sign of peace. Often, it took me some time to compose myself before I could receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Sometimes, I could not bring myself to leave the pew. I would sit there, long after mass had ended.

It often felt like this agony would just not be over. But it did. I moved on, got married and today my dear spouse and I have 2 lovely children – like Hannah, that’s really all I ever wanted!

Eli

We have all heard of the couple breaking up. It’s so easy to judge. So easy to make comments, and so easy to gossip and assume the why and how.

Jo and May were married and had 3 children. The younger 2 had cerebral palsy. This put an immense strain on the marriage. May went into post-partum depression and would abuse Jo. This went on for months and it came to the point when Jo decided that he wanted out.

I found myself leaning on Jo’s position – enough was enough, he was spent. As much as I hoped they would try and work things out, when I heard how May had treated Jo; I felt I wouldn’t blame him if he wanted out.

But wait – was I becoming another ‘Eli’? Was I assuming and judging before I knew the whole story? Some years back, I too was judged and I felt it was unfair.

Perhaps, what I should do is pray for Jo and May and their 3 children. God always has the best plan!

Hannah’s story is a powerful one of strength, courage, persistent prayer, and unwavering commitment to seeking God’s face. She faced challenging circumstances, felt discouraged and angry with God. Despite her challenges, feelings of rejection and abandonment, she did not stop praying.

Eli’s is one of initially jumping to a conclusion, but later relenting, wishing Hannah peace and praying with her.

Can I be ‘Hannah’ and pray and trust God’s plan despite all the judgement? Or can I be ‘Eli’ to my fellow brothers and sisters and reserve my judgement and just pray?

(Today’s OXYGEN by Gerard Francis)

Prayer: We pray for the many ‘Hannah’s and ‘Eli’s we encounter in our lives. Touch them Lord, to be as You would want them to be.

Thanksgiving: We give thanks to Our Heavenly Father for His graces to help us discern and measure our actions to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.