Word to the Wise
Monday, January 14, 2008 - Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Samuel 1:1-8 and Mark 1:14-20]Hannah,why do you weep, and why do you refuse to eat? Why do you grieve? Am I not more to you than ten sons?
There is a lot of soap opera in the bible. But some important things come about as a result of what takes place in those stories! We can recall the story of Hagar, the concubine that Sarah gives to Abraham and the conflict that arose when Hagar gave birth to Ishmael and then began to taunt Sarah about her barrenness. Of course, Sarah's barrenness is remedied in God's plan, and Isaac is born. Then there is the story of Esau and Jacob, the twins, and how Rebeccah, their mother, schemes to have Jacob receive the blessing of their father. Today's story is similar. Again, a wife who gives birth taunts the barren wife. The husband thinks he should be consolation enough - what's one more kid since the other wife has plenty to carry on the heritage. This is one (more?) time when the guy just doesn't "get it!" Barrenness was hard enough for Hannah, but to be taunted for it is, as we say nowadays, "over the top." Again, the Lord hears the prayer and sends a very special offspring, the baby boy who would become the prophet, Samuel! It is true, as St. Paul says, that for those who love God all things come together for good. But I'm not sure I'd quote that to someone who is suffering from terrible and continuing misfortune, such as barrenness or the loss of a child. A good husband can be a great comfort to a wife in those circumstances, but he does not replace the missing child and he has his own feelings about it to handle as well. Praying, hoping, accepting and considering (adoption or foster parenting) may be the most one can do, but it is important to do that "most." At least there are biblical heroines to turn to for consolation and inspiration. AMEN
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