A reflection on the daily readings, for Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent, by Father Perry.
+ Vocabulary.comgave this explanation or meaning to the word “dedicate”: “To assign, to commit, or give over. If you dedicate a song you’ve written to a friend, it means the song belongs to them. If you dedicate yourself to a project, it means you give yourself to it.”
As Hannah stood in the temple of Shiloh, she spoke: “I give him [Samuel] to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be dedicated to the Lord.”
Then she left Samuel there.
For sure, the Bible is filled with awesome and bigger-than-life stories, this one included.
We hear of people abandoning their children in a trash bin, but to give one’s child to the Lord, it is a big story.
Only a mother, I suppose, would be able to understand the immensity of such an act, of such an intention.
But is the story real? Did it — could it — actually happen in just that way?
In modern history, something akin to this took place in 1939.
Tenzin Gyatso was identified as the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama at just 2 years of age.
For over 80 years he has been completely dedicated with the complete “giving over of his life” to the living out of the prophecies and oracles that led to his being chosen.
This! In modern day history! This! In our own lifetime!
+ Certainly the Bible leads us at times to such a great mystery too wonderful, amazing or awesome to behold.
And yet, we are there beholding it in all its naked glory.
Mary beheld, too; she recognized the enormity of her calling and said “yes,” and the mystery, wonder and awesome glory of God began to be revealed in her, through her Son, and ultimately upon the cross. Complete dedication to a lifelong project.
+ Our hearts and souls also proclaim the greatness of the Lord.
We, too, exult in God out savior!
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
