12.21.12

Lectio: 1 Sm 1.24-28
Meditatio: "Now I [Hannah], in turn, give him [Samuel] to the Lord: as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord’." 1 Sm 1.28a

Oratio: "O God, You gave us so much and many of our mothers have emulated Your giving in a very human and most generous ways throughout the ages.

I remember, Hannah, the mother of Samuel, gave him, her only child, to You, to serve the needs of the Temple. How generous of her! How generous of You to give us such a role model!


Grant that I may be a generous giver, like You, and like my mother, for such generosity is a
source of great pleasure to You.

I ask these and all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: Keep silence and remain in recollection for a few minutes.

Operatio: reflect on "dedicated"; set aside for a specific role; the many priests whose mother’s weaned them and gave them over to Your service, whether in active ministry or in prayerful ministry; in prayer thank God for the many mothers who gave their sons to You in service and may You bless all of them and their sons all their days.

Tomorrow's reading: Is 62.1-5