1Samuel 1:9-20 /Ps. 1Sam. 2:1-4,8 /Mark 1:21-28

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Very often, we think prayer must be carefully measured, controlled, and well-arranged. We believe we must always use the right words. We also strive for the right posture. The right tone is essential when we come before God. But today’s readings teach us something very important: prayer does not always have to be neat and polished. Sometimes, prayer is raw. Sometimes, it is emotional. Sometimes, it is silent, broken, or even angry.

In today’s first reading, we meet Hannah, a woman whose heart is heavy with grief. For years she has suffered the pain of childlessness and the humiliation that comes with it. She does not come before God pretending to be strong. She does not hide her pain. Scripture tells us that she pours out her soul before the Lord.

Hannah’s prayer is not loud. It is not dramatic. It is silent. Only her lips move. Even the priest, Eli, misunderstands her and thinks she is drunk. Yet God understands her completely. God hears what no one else hears. And after this honest prayer, Scripture says something very beautiful: Hannah was no longer dejected.

My brothers and sisters, this is a powerful lesson for us. God can handle our honesty. We do not need to censor our prayer before Him. There is no pain, no disappointment, no resentment, no fear that is out of bounds in prayer. We can bring all our emotions to God. It does not matter if it is grief over a lost loved one, frustration over unemployment, or tension in marriage. We can also bring the pain of childlessness, sickness, or disappointment with life.

Think of a mother in church kneeling quietly. Tears are in her eyes. She is worried about a child who has gone astray. Think of a father who says nothing aloud but carries the burden of unpaid school fees and mounting debts. Think of a young person confused about the future, or an elderly person struggling with loneliness. Like Hannah, many of us pray silently, but our hearts are shouting. God hears every word.

In the Gospel, we meet another person who prays in a very direct and unfiltered way. This person is the man possessed by an unclean spirit. He shouts at Jesus, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” There is anger in his voice. There is fear. There is turmoil.

Yet Jesus is not threatened by this. Just as God was comfortable with Hannah’s grief, Jesus is comfortable with this man’s rage and brokenness. Jesus speaks a word of authority, and the man is set free. The disturbance gives way to peace. The chaos gives way to calm.

This teaches us that when we open our hearts honestly to the Lord—even with our darkest emotions—healing begins. Sometimes our prayer does not change our situation instantly, but it changes us. Like Hannah, we may rise from prayer still waiting, but no longer crushed. Like the possessed man, we may still have struggles, but we are no longer bound.

My brothers and sisters, today’s Gospel also reminds us that Jesus’ ministry is not only about individual healing. Mark tells us that this miracle happens in the synagogue, in the presence of the community. The man was not only tormented by a spirit; he was also separated from the community. Jesus restores him to worship, to belonging, to relationship.

This is very important. Our journey to God is never meant to be a solitary journey. Jesus did not save people in isolation. He gathered disciples. He formed a community. He created a family of faith.

Think of the Small Christian Communities, the Women’s Association, the Youth, the Choir, the Catechists, the sick visitors. Each group carries a gift. What you have, someone else needs. What someone else has, you need. No one has everything. No one is useless.

Even Jesus did not work alone. He called disciples. He sent them out two by two. He shared the mission. The Church today must do the same.

My brothers and sisters, the Lord is inviting us today to two things:
First, to pray honestly. Pray without fear. Pray without pretending. Pray without hiding our pain.
Second, to walk together—supporting one another, praying for one another, and building a community of faith, hope, and love.

As we come to the altar today, let us place before the Lord whatever is in our hearts. It can be joy or sorrow. It may be hope or disappointment. Let us ask for the grace to journey together. When we open our hearts to the Lord and to one another, healing will follow. Peace will surely follow as well.