Daily Mass Readings – Tuesday, 22 December 2026

24 And after she had weaned him, she carried him with her, with three calves, and three bushels of flour, and a bottle of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord in Silo. Now the child was as yet very young:

25 And they immolated a calf, and offered the child to Heli.

26 And Anna said: I beseech thee, my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord: I am that woman who stood before thee here praying to the Lord.

27 For this child did I pray, and the Lord hath granted me my petition, which I asked of him.

28 Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord all the days of his life, he shall be lent to the Lord. And they adored the Lord there. And Anna prayed, and said:

R. (1a) My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.

1 My heart hath rejoiced in the Lord, and my horn is exalted in my God: my mouth is enlarged over my enemies: because I have joyed in thy salvation.

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

4 The bow of the mighty is overcome, and the weak are girt with strength.

5 They that were full before have hired out themselves for bread: and the hungry are filled, so that the barren hath borne many: and she that had many children is weakened.

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

6 The Lord killeth and maketh alive, he bringeth down to hell and bringeth back again.

7 The Lord maketh poor and maketh rich, he humbleth and he exalteth.

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

8abcd He raiseth up the needy from the dust, and lifteth up the poor from the dunghill: that he may sit with princes, and hold the throne of glory.

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

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.

46 And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord.

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48 Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

49 Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.

51 He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

52 He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.

53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

54 He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy:

55 As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

56 And Mary abode with her about three months; and she returned to her own house.

Hannah brings her young son to the house of the Lord with a heart that remembers where her gift came from. She had prayed, the Lord had answered, and she now offers Samuel back to God for all his days. Mary’s song echoes this same movement of faith: she rejoices because the mighty God has looked upon her humility, and she recognizes that his mercy lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry with good things.

Both women show us that gratitude is more than thanking God for what we receive. It means allowing his gifts to belong to his purposes. An answered prayer, a responsibility, a relationship, or a particular grace can become an offering when we place it at the Lord’s service rather than treating it as something we possess absolutely. The proud cling to their own importance; the humble can rejoice because they know their strength and dignity come from God. Mary and Hannah teach us to receive with wonder, surrender with trust, and praise the Lord whose mercy remains faithful through every generation.

Lord God, my Savior, teach me to recognize your hand in every good gift. Keep me from claiming as my own what has come through your mercy. Give me Hannah’s willingness to place my life at your service and Mary’s humble joy in your greatness. When I feel weak or empty, strengthen me with the knowledge that you raise the lowly and satisfy the hungry. Make my gratitude generous, so that what I receive from you may become a blessing for others. May your mercy guide my choices and remain the song of my heart. Amen.