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Tuesday of the FourthWeek of Advent
1 Samuel 1:24-28
1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8ABCD
Luke 1:46-56
Summary
In the first reading we see Hannah, returning to the Temple with the
gift that God gave her, her son Samuel. She has not forgotten her vow
of gratitude to God when she asked for this child. Now she comes to
give this child, this gift, back to God.
In the psalm, also from First Samuel, "my heart exults in the Lord, my
Savior"! An exclamation of gratitude but this time, one suspects, it
comes after much trial and suffering. It's an exclamation of God's ul-
timate victory over death and the other powers of this world.
And Mary proclaims "the greatness of the Lord" in her Magnificat.
"He has looked upon his lowly servant.......He has mercy on those who
fear Him........He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich
he has sent away empty."
Reflection
These are astonishing proclamations of gratitude and praise because
they are made with "whole hearts". How remarkable to be grateful,
and how much more remarkable to be completely grateful. What
does having a "whole heart" mean in my life?
I look at my dog when she comes to greet me. There is nothing partial
or half-hearted in her. She twists herself into a pretzel of joy! I think
this is why so many of us enjoy dogs --
they are unreserved in their gratitude for
our presence.
In talking with my young daughter I am
flooded with gratitude for a being who
first named me "father", a vocation I