Reading for Thursday 4th Week of Advent Year A

?First Reading: (1Samuel 1:24-28)

? Responsorial Psalm: (1Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8)

?Gospel:(Luke 1:46-56)

First Reading: (1Samuel 1:24-28)

When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, as well as a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and took him into the temple of Yahweh at Shiloh; the child was very young.

They sacrificed the bull and led the child to Eli. She said, ‘If you please, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood beside you here, praying to Yahweh.

This is the child for which I was praying, and Yahweh has granted me what I asked of him. Now I make him over to Yahweh for the whole of his life. He is made over to Yahweh.’ They then worshipped Yahweh there.

 Responsorial Psalm: (1Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8)

Hannah then prayed as follows: My heart exults in Yahweh, in my God is my strength lifted up, my mouth derides my foes, for I rejoice in your deliverance.

He who is enthroned in the heavens laughs, Yahweh makes a mockery of them, then in his anger rebukes them, in his rage he strikes them with terror.

‘I myself have anointed my king on Zion my holy mountain.’ I will proclaim the decree of Yahweh: He said to me, ‘You are my son, today have I fathered you.

Ask of me, and I shall give you the nations as your birthright, the whole wide world as your possession.

Gospel:(Luke 1:46-56)

And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; because he has looked upon the humiliation of his servant.

Yes, from now onwards all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name, and his faithful love extends age after age to those who fear him.

He has used the power of his arm, he has routed the arrogant of heart. He has pulled down princes from their thrones and raised high the lowly. He has filled the starving with good things, sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his faithful love -according to the promise he made to our ancestors — of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.

Mary stayed with her some three months and then went home.