DAY 2

Breakdown, Breakthrough with Prayer
By René Jacques Hunton

I’m not going to lie, when I first spoke with Marcus about participating in this family blog I was not so eager.  In fact, I just felt annoyed.  When the heck am I supposed to find time to do this??  I have two young children who are home all day for the next two weeks!  And I got day two?  REALLY???  

To make matters worse when I read the scripture I came up empty.  Nada. 

I had my husband Stanton read the scripture and he easily came up with an interpretation.  I could have offered it up as my own but no, I couldn’t do it!  

Marcus even tried to help by giving me ideas of what I could say:  my struggles with infertility and the blessings of my two beautiful girls or the “Big C” and how much I felt the prayers from family and friends through my treatment and recovery.  Yes, these are great examples of how putting my faith in God has gotten me through some pretty tough times.  

But you know what?  I never prayed harder than when my husband had a major breakdown with my family: my parents and Marcus.  It happened at the worst possible time, when I needed them the most.  I thought my husband would never speak to them again.  My parents thought he would never forgive them.  I wouldn’t give up on him though, and I prayed and I prayed.  I never lost faith that my husband would open up his heart, forgive them and apologize.  And guess what?  He did.  And their relationship is better than ever!  Every hardship has a distinct purpose.  God is good! 

Bless our families, dear Lord, with breakthrough from our struggles so that we always remember that God is good all the time, and all the time, GOD IS GOOD.

Readings
Tuesday December 22

1 SM 1:24-28
In those days,

Hannah brought Samuel with her,

along with a three-year-old bull,
an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine,

and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh. 

After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull,

Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said:

“Pardon, my lord!

As you live, my lord,

I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD. 

I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. 

Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD;
as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.”

She left Samuel there.

Responsorial Psalm1 SAMUEL 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 
R. (see 1a) My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

“My heart exults in the LORD,

my horn is exalted in my God.

I have swallowed up my enemies;
I rejoice in my victory.”

R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

“The bows of the mighty are broken,

while the tottering gird on strength.

The well-fed hire themselves out for bread,

while the hungry batten on spoil.

The barren wife bears seven sons,

while the mother of many languishes.”

R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

“The LORD puts to death and gives life;

he casts down to the nether world;

he raises up again.

The LORD makes poor and makes rich,

he humbles, he also exalts.”

R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

“He raises the needy from the dust;

from the dung heap he lifts up the poor,

To seat them with nobles

and make a glorious throne their heritage.”


R. My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.


Alleluia 
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:

come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel   LK 1:46-56

Mary said:



“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

for he has looked upon his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

and has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever.”



Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months

and then returned to her home.