1 Samuel 1:24-28 / Luke 1:46-56
To give up something precious is never easy as far as human beings are concerned.
More so, if it is something that we have worked hard for.
It may be our savings, or our resources, our projects.
Those are the expressions of our achievements and our abilities.
But those are our external possessions, and though they are valuable to us, we may still be able to give them up, though not so easily.
But for Hannah in the 1st reading, she was giving up her only son, Samuel.
Hannah prayed for a child and God blessed her with Samuel.
But she knew that the gift of Samuel will be for God’s purpose and not for her to keep or possess.
Hence, she says: Now I make him over to the Lord for the whole of his life. He is made over to the Lord.
Certainly, it was not easy for Hannah to let go of Samuel, but she did so because she understood that God had a greater purpose for Samuel.
In the gospel, we see two expectant mothers rejoicing over the gifts of life in their wombs.
But both also knew that the time will come when they have to let go of their sons for God’s purposes.
As we reflect upon these two readings, let us also remember that our lives are not for our own purposes but for God’s plan.
Let us put our lives into God’s hands and we will find the true meaning and purpose of our lives.