2nd Sunday Ordinary time 1-15-12

                                          GOD BLESSES THE LOWLY

                            The mother of Samuel is a case in point.

 Hannah was the wife of Elkanah who had another wife whose name was Peninnah. she had children but Hannah did not. Each year Elkanah would take his wives and Peninnah's children and go to the Temple in Shiloh to offer sacrifice.  He would give a portion of the sacrifice to Peninah and to each of her sons and daughters and would give Hannah a double portion because he loved her even though she was barren.

              Peninnah made it a constant reproach to Hannah that the Lord had left her barren. So Hannah would weep and refuse to eat.

              Once while they were in Shiloh Hannah went from where they had their evening meal to the Temple by herself and cried out to the Lord from her heart over her misfortune, with deep sobbing, weeping & begging for a male child she promised that he would be dedicated to the Lord all his life.  That no wine or strong drink would ever touch his lips or razor touch his head.  Now even though she prayed silently her lips were moving.

               The priest Eli was on duty and thought that she was drunk, and scolded her.  She then explained that she had not taken any wine or strong drink but was deeply sad and distraught.  Eli then gave her a blessing asking the Lord to grant her request. 

               The next year she was nursing her son Samuel and asked her husband to let her stay home while he and the rest went to the temple, and promised to go as soon as Samuel was weaned and offer him to the Lord and leave him there. So, when Samuel was weaned she did as she promised to do and left him there in the temple with Eli when he was very young.

              That is why Samuel was with Eli the priest when the Lord called him.           Samuel was one of the great prophets and was recognized by all of Israel as one whom the Lord spoke to.He even anointed the kings Saul and David.When the Lord first called him he was about 13 .

              Today's Gospel has John the Baptist pointing out Jesus to a couple of his disciples who then follow Jesus. One of them Andrew went and found his brother Simon and brought him to the Lord. Jesus then promptly renamed him Peter.

              Jesus chose the lowly so that everyone would know that His followers were able to do what they did because of the power of God.

Another thing we notice throughout the Bible is; God has often changed the names of the super-heroes, or those whom He gave very important missions to accomplish.  We see this from Abram in the book of Genesis who became Abraham-- to Saul in the ACTS of the Apostles who became Paul. A change in names marks a significant passage from one phase of life to another or to a whole new vocation.

              When we receive the Sacrament of confirmation we select a confirmation name.

Most women take the last name of their spouse when they marry. Both men and women when they profess religious vows may change their names as they are taking Jesus as their spouse.

              The sisters I had in School -The sisters of charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the BVMs for short; all had Mary for a preface to their names.  Sister Mary Lucinda---Sister Mary Theresa --Sister Mary Alice -- Sister Mary Beverly e.t.c.

The Pope uses an entirely different name when he is elected to that position.

So what about our own name?  What does it signify?  Do we live up to what it means?

My first name is Edwin which means rich land owner.  I sure never did live up to that!

                I took Peter for my confirmation name as I loved to hear about Peter in the Gospels and, as Peter sometimes did, I have put my foot in my mouth many times.  God blesses the lowly.Like Peter I am able to serve the Lord only through His power .

              In our second reading we are reminded of the sacredness of our bodies. For we are the Lords and the Lord dwells in us - That is; if we love Him and keep His commandments.

              At Mass we receive Him into our bodies when we receive Holy Communion. We are also reminded that our bodies are not our own, but the Lords.

      NEXT Sunday is the anniversary of the infamous Supreme court decision Roe vs. Wade that legalized abortion.  If our country is ever to recover its greatness, that decision must be over turned.

              I am very proud of our young people who are making the trip to Washington to take part in the WALK FOR LIFE, and I hope you are too. Let us pray for their safety as they make their pilgrimage. And let us all continue to pray for an end to abortion.  Also, let us carefully select representatives who are pro-life leaders.

In 1973, the Sunday after that decision was made, our pastor gave a blistering homily that awakened in us the true horror of such an immoral ruling --that disregards the sacredness of human life.

              And, he declared that this was the beginning of the end for our country. Let us too pray for our country.  Maybe the hearts of the people will once again, turn away from evil and back to God.  

    By the way Hannah was blest with 3 more sons and 2 daughters.

                                                        God blesses the lowly.