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| "The Possessed Man in the Synagogue" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST READING: 1 Samuel 1: 9 - 20
9
So Anna arose after she had eaten and drunk in Silo: And Heli the
priest sitting upon a stool, before the door of the temple of the
Lord:
10
As Anna had her heart full of grief, she prayed to the Lord, shedding
many tears,
11
And she made a vow, saying: O Lord, of hosts, if thou wilt look down
on the affliction of thy servant, and wilt be mindful of me, and not
forget thy handmaid, and wilt give to thy servant a man child: I will
give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall
come upon his head.
12
And it came to pass, as she multiplied prayers before the Lord, that
Heli observed her mouth.
13
Now Anna spoke in her heart, and only her lips moved, but her voice
was not heard at all. Heli therefore thought her to be drunk,
14
And said to her: How long wilt thou, be drunk? digest a little the
wine, of which thou hast taken too much.
15
Anna answering, said: Not so, my lord: for I am an exceeding unhappy
woman, and have drunk neither wine nor any strong drink, but I have
poured out my soul before the Lord.
16
Count not thy handmaid for one of the daughters of Belial: for out of
the abundance of my sorrow and grief have I spoken till now.
17
Then Heli said to her: Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee
thy petition, which thou hast asked of him.
18
And she said: Would to God thy handmaid may find grace in thy eyes.
So the woman went on her way, and ate, and her countenance was no
more changed.
19
And they rose in the morning, and worshipped before the Lord: and
they returned, and came into their house at Ramatha. And Elcana knew
Anna his wife: and the Lord remembered her.
20
And it came to pass when the time was come about, Anna conceived and
bore a son, and called his name Samuel: because she had asked him of
the Lord.
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.
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.
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.
8
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. For the poles of the earth are the Lord's, and upon them he
hath set the world.
21
And they entered into Capharnaum, and forthwith upon the sabbath days
going into the synagogue, he taught them.
22
And they were astonished at his doctrine. For he was teaching them as
one having power, and not as the scribes.
23
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he
cried out,
24
Saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? art thou
come to destroy us? I know who thou art, the Holy One of God.
25
And Jesus threatened him, saying: Speak no more, and go out of the
man.
26
And the unclean spirit tearing him, and crying out with a loud voice,
went out of him.
27
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among
themselves, saying: What thing is this? what is this new doctrine?
for with power he commandeth even the unclean spirits, and they obey
him.
28
And the fame of him was spread forthwith into all the country of
Galilee.
