THOUGHTS FOR THIS WEEK

Readings

1 Samuel 1.4-20: Hannah grieves her inability to conceive, and the mockery of Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, so when the family goes to the temple she prays for a child. After Eli accuses her of being drunk, she explains that she is grieving and he blesses her. Following this, she falls pregnant and gives birth to Samuel.

Song of Hannah: Hannah sings a song of praise for God’s grace and justice in response to Samuel’s birth and dedication to the Lord.

Hebrews 10.11-14, 10.19-25: Jesus offered the perfect once-for-all sacrifice and then sat down at God’s right hand. He perfected God’s people, and now we can enter God’s presence with confidence because of our faith, the cleansing of God, and our high priest in God’s house. In response we are to hold on to our hope, and motivate each other to acts of love and goodness.

Mark 13.1-11: As they leave the temple, Jesus’ disciples are awed by the size and beauty of the building, but Jesus predicts that it will be destroyed. When the disciples ask for a sign, Jesus warns them about false messiahs who will come, reports of war, earthquakes, and famines. But, these, he explains, are just the beginnings of the end.

Rev Tania writes:

How are we to respond when we face the violent upheaval of our world, or when others use mockery to dominate us in personal power plays? What does it mean to trust in God’s grace and protection, to live out the peace and justice of God’s Reign in a world of war and injustice?

The call to peace is always a difficult one to answer, both personally and collectively, but it is a call we must face in worship this week. This peace provides the space for HOPE to WIN.

Today’s pre-Advent readings foreshadow the prophetic warnings and hope that come with the early readings in Advent. Mary’s Magnificat closely mirrors Hannah’s song of praise (1 Samuel 2:1-10). Together, these women celebrate the miracle of life—springing forth and overcoming despair and fear. Hope wins the day, as barrenness is banished, and fertile ground is found (1 Samuel 1).

Hope wins the day, as the hungry are fed with abundance, and the poor are raised up to seats of honour (1 Samuel 2).

Hope wins the day, as sins are forgiven through Christ’s grace (Hebrews 10). Hope wins the day, as Jesus becomes the cornerstone that never fails (Mark 13). Hope is the gift that sustains us through days of darkness and times of waiting.

Rev Tania