Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Reading I 1 Samuel 1:9-20
Hannah rose after a meal at Shiloh,
and presented herself before the LORD;
at the time, Eli the priest was sitting on a chair
near the doorpost of the LORD’s temple.
In her bitterness she prayed to the LORD, weeping copiously,
and she made a vow, promising: “O LORD of hosts,
if you look with pity on the misery of your handmaid,
if you remember me and do not forget me,
if you give your handmaid a male child,
I will give him to the LORD for as long as he lives;
neither wine nor liquor shall he drink,
and no razor shall ever touch his head.”
As she remained long at prayer before the LORD,
Eli watched her mouth, for Hannah was praying silently;
though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard.
Eli, thinking her drunk, said to her,
“How long will you make a drunken show of yourself?
Sober up from your wine!”
“It isn’t that, my lord,” Hannah answered.
“I am an unhappy woman.
I have had neither wine nor liquor;
I was only pouring out my troubles to the LORD.
Do not think your handmaid a ne’er-do-well;
my prayer has been prompted by my deep sorrow and misery.”
Eli said, “Go in peace,
and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
She replied, “Think kindly of your maidservant,” and left.
She went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband,
and no longer appeared downcast.
Early the next morning they worshiped before the LORD,
and then returned to their home in Ramah.
When Elkanah had relations with his wife Hannah,
the LORD remembered her.
She conceived, and at the end of her term bore a son
whom she called Samuel, since she had asked the LORD for him.
Responsorial Psalm 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd
R. (see 1) My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“My heart exults in the LORD,
my horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies;
I rejoice in my victory.”
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“The bows of the mighty are broken,
while the tottering gird on strength.
The well-fed hire themselves out for bread,
while the hungry batten on spoil.
The barren wife bears seven sons,
while the mother of many languishes.”
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“The LORD puts to death and gives life;
he casts down to the nether world;
he raises up again.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
he humbles, he also exalts.”
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
“He raises the needy from the dust;
from the dung heap he lifts up the poor,
To seat them with nobles
and make a glorious throne their heritage.”
R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
Alleluia See 1 Thessalonians 2:13
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Receive the word of God, not as the word of men,
but as it truly is, the word of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mark 1:21-28
Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers,
and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are–the Holy One of God!”
Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!”
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
“What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
- Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint Hilary, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
January 13, 2026 // Optional Memorial of Saint Hilary, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:9-20
Reflect on the Word //
Songs of sorrow and hope play on repeat as I draw pictures and overwrite them in large black letters taken from the Bible. Other verses I pen onto stark blank pages, crumpling and tossing away all but a few. I go for long silent walks and cry my way through the Liturgy of the Hours, sitting beside my husband who reads the prayers for us both. I attend daily Mass when I am able, acutely aware of my lack of ability to concentrate, yet trusting that the Mass is still efficacious. Grief’s intrusion drastically changes the way we pray, but because it’s lacking in pretenses, I’d argue that what I’ve termed “messy prayer” changes us for the better.
Hannah in today’s First Reading is loved by her husband yet knows grief. She pours out her troubles to the Lord, offering Him, incoherently, the deep sorrow and misery she can no longer contain (see 1 Samuel 1: 15-16). I’ve not been maligned nor misunderstood like Hannah. Neither have I known the empty pain of infertility. Yet, like Hannah, I’ve prayed in ways that could be mistaken for drunkenness. I’ve also bargained with God: If You answer my plea, I’ll give You everything! Please, please, please grant my desire! But God does not answer my prayer the way I desire. I’m dismayed, and ask, Why hasn’t Jesus granted my plea?
Jesus’ clear answer jolts me: “Are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:15b) The question lays bare an uncomfortable truth that when I hear of His goodness toward others, envy sometimes crowds out the loving response of joy He desires for me. Humbled and contrite, I pray. I’m so sorry! How desperately I need You! Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I see now that Hannah and her Samuel are gifts to me too, teaching me humility and trust.
Dear sister, our loving God desires our open hearts. He wants us just as we are, and loves us too much to leave us sick and wounded. It’s God’s prerogative to heal us in His way and in His time. We can trust Him with everything, including our messy prayers.
Relate to the Lord // Where do you feel messy? Can you share those parts with a friend today? Will you show them to God in prayer?
Lani Bogart was born in Hawaii and grew up in Ohio and Michigan. She was a small child when she began to love Jesus. She’s at home in Texas with her woodworker Deacon husband near their children and grandchildren, Lani is also an active spiritual director and trauma healing volunteer. You can read more at Lanibogart.blog
Lani Bogart nació en Hawaii y creció en Ohio y Michigan. Era una niña pequeña cuando empezó a amar a Jesús. Está en su casa en Texas con su esposo, un carpintero diácono, cerca de sus hijos y nietos. Lani también es una directora espiritual activa y voluntaria de curación de traumas. Puedes leer más en Lanibogart.blog
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