Mass Readings for January 9, 2024

1 Samuel 1:9-20
1 Samuel 2:1,4-8
Mark 1:21-28

1 Samuel 1:9-20
(9) So Hannah rose up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of Yahweh’s temple. (10) She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to Yahweh, weeping bitterly. (11) She vowed a vow, and said, “Yahweh of Armies, if you will indeed look at the affliction of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a boy, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and no razor shall come on his head.” (12) As she continued praying before Yahweh, Eli saw her mouth. (13) Now Hannah spoke in her heart. Only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. (14) Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Get rid of your wine!” (15) Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have not been drinking wine or strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Yahweh. (16) Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman; for I have been speaking out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation.” (17) Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him.” (18) She said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way, and ate; and her facial expression wasn’t sad any more. (19) They rose up in the morning early, and worshiped before Yahweh, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah. Then Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Yahweh remembered her. (20) When the time had come, Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of Yahweh.”

1 Samuel 2:1,4-8
(1) Hannah prayed, and said: “My heart exults in Yahweh! My horn is exalted in Yahweh. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. (4) “The bows of the mighty men are broken. Those who stumbled are armed with strength. (5) Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread. Those who were hungry are satisfied. Yes, the barren has borne seven. She who has many children languishes. (6) “Yahweh kills, and makes alive. He brings down to Sheol, and brings up. (7) Yahweh makes poor, and makes rich. He brings low, he also lifts up. (8) He raises up the poor out of the dust. He lifts up the needy from the dunghill, To make them sit with princes, and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh’s. He has set the world on them.

Mark 1:21-28
(21) They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. (22) They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes. (23) Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, (24) saying, “Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!” (25) Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” (26) The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. (27) They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!” (28) The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.