1st book of Samuel 1,1-8.
There was a certain man from Rama-thaim, Elkanah by name, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives, one named Hannah, the other Peninnah; Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless. This man regularly went on pilgrimage from his city to worship the LORD of hosts and to sacrifice to him at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were ministering as priests of the LORD. When the day came for Elkanah to offer sacrifice, he used to give a portion each to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters, but a double portion to Hannah because he loved her, though the LORD had made her barren. Her rival, to upset her, turned it into a constant reproach to her that the LORD had left her barren. This went on year after year; each time they made their pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the LORD, Peninnah would approach her, and Hannah would weep and refuse to eat. Her husband Elkanah used to ask her: "Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you refuse to eat? Why do you grieve? Am I not more to you than ten sons?"
Psalms 116(115),12-13.14-17.18-19.
How can I repay the LORD for all the good done for me?
I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
Too costly in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful.
LORD, I am your servant, your servant, the child of your maidservant; you have loosed my bonds.
I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.
I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
In the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 1,14-20.
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel. As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
CARING ENOUGH TO CRY
"Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you refuse to eat?" –1 Samuel 1:8
In 2007, did you bear abundant fruit for Jesus? (see Jn 15:5) How many did you lead to new birth and new life in Jesus? Jesus has called us to be fishers of men and women (Mk 1:17), to work in His harvest (Mt 9:37), to do anything we can to win over as many as possible to Jesus (1 Cor 9:19).
Are you fruitful like Mary or barren like Hannah? If we have been barren and have not birthed many people into God's kingdom, we should first ask for the grace to weep over our barrenness (see 1 Sm 1:6-7). We should be upset with ourselves if we don't lead people to Jesus and even more upset if we don't even try to evangelize. After we cry tears of repentance, the Lord may call us to fast (see 1 Sm 1:7). As we grow hungry for food, we also grow hungry for all people to be saved.
After weeping and fasting, we're ready to pray. Our prayer will be answered, and we will birth others into new life in Christ. Those whom we lead to Christ will in turn be fruitful themselves and lead others to the Lord. More and more people will love Jesus with all their hearts. The Church will be renewed and our world will be transformed. This will be the best year ever. It all begins with our tears of repentance for not evangelizing.
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