1 Sam 1:8 / Mark 1:14-20
One of the profound sayings of John the Baptist is this: A man can lay claim only to what is given to him from above (John 3:27).
Putting it plainly, it means to say that what is yours will be yours, and what is not yours will never be yours.
Not having what is not yours may be acceptable and we can console ourselves and resign to the thought that it is of no point longing or yearning for it.
But to be taunted and made fun of for not having something can be rather tormenting. It is like taunting and making fun of the poor because they don't have money. It would take a very wicked person to do such a thing.
In the 1st reading, we heard of Hannah who was taunted and made fun of by her rival Peninnah for being barren.
And even as they went up to the Temple with Elkanah their husband, the taunting would go on. It would make us wonder why Peninnah was able to have children of her own. How is it that such people can have what they wanted?
Maybe that was what Hannah was thinking too. And she may be wondering why God does not grant her children. Was God punishing her by making her barren?
But God will speak and Hannah will have her answers along the way.
So when we ask something from God, He may say "Yes" and we get it immediately; He may say "Wait" and we will get it later; He may say "No" because He wants to give us something better.
But if God were to ask something of us, what would be our response? Are we willing to leave everything behind and listen to His call and do His will?
May we realize that what we have and what we are is given to us from above. When we are able to let go, then we will have peace and joy even while we are on earth.