Commentary

1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Hannah dedicated her son to the L ORD. There in the temple Samuel worked for the
L ORD unlike the sons of Eli who were evil. Every year Samuel’s mother and father
visited their child and brought him new clothes. After making another sacrifice,
Eli blessed them.

1 Samuel 2:18 Samuel was ministering before the L ORD – Samuel worked in the
L ORD’s house.

1 Samuel 2:19 when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice –
When one turns over a child to the L ORD, you are sacrificing your future.
For the child is the one who will take care of you in our old age. The pain of
living without your child is difficult enough. Seeing him once a year does
not make it any easier.

1 Samuel 2:20 May the L ORD repay you – This prayer was answered. The L ORD
gave Hannah three sons and two daughters.

...

1 Samuel 2:26 Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favour – Samuel
models the life of a believer. As you age, you continue to doing the L ORD’s
will.

Psalm 148
All of creation joins the the praise of the L ORD. This happens because the L ORD
is faithful to His people Israel.

Psalm 148:1 Praise the L ORD – This first sentence of the Psalm sets its tone. All
of creation is to extol the work that God has done and give God glory.
praise him in the heights – This duty to offer God worship literally starts at
the top and then works its way down. Even the most holy part of creation
still offers up their thanks for the L ORD.

Psalm 148:2 Praise him, all his angels – Angels are not exempt for offering the
L ORD praise.

1
Psalm 148:3 Praise him, sun and moon – What some groups think are gods really
are just members of creation that praise the L ORD.

Psalm 148:4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
– The author of the psalm uses the same view of creation as in the flood
story.

Psalm 148:5 for he commanded and they were created – The heights of the
heaven owe their existence to the L ORD who created them.

Psalm 148:6 He established them for ever and ever – The psalmist tells of the
unending nature of this part of creation.

Psalm 148:7 Praise the L ORD from the earth – The focus is moved from the
heavens to the planet earth.
you sea monsters and all deeps – Rather than strictly following the cosmol-
ogy based on height, the author moves in a direction that mimics the first
creation account.

Psalm 148:8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command –
Even what seems driven by either the fates or random forces is under God’s
control.

Psalm 148:9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Others might
believe that creation is to be served. The L ORD calls out to them to serve
Him.

Psalm 148:10 creeping things – Even the unclean parts of the universe praise the
L ORD.

Psalm 148:11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the
earth – Everyone on earth, from the most important ruler to the least signif-
icant individual is to praise God.

Psalm 148:12 Young men and women alike, old and young together – Every part
of humanity, even those who do not have a voice in public, join in the song
praising the L ORD.

Psalm 148:13 for his name alone is exalted – The only one worthy is the L ORD.

Psalm 148:14 for the people of Israel – The L ORD works for His children.

2
Colossians 3:12-17
The entire world should be able to see that Christians follow Jesus. This includes
forgiving others and showing love to all.

Colossians 3:12 clothe yourselves – The followers of Christ are to act in a way
that everyone can see that they belong to Him.

Colossians 3:13 forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you
also must forgive – In the community, the believers are to act like God.
They need to give up their grudges and hurt feelings.

Colossians 3:14 clothe yourselves with love – The defining attribute of Christians
is love.

Colossians 3:15 you were called in the one body – The church is the body of
Christ.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly – Do not be stingy
with the grace that Jesus gives you.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – All
actions should reflect your status as Christians.

Luke 2:41-52
This section from Luke is not found in the other Gospels but it is included in the
Gospel of St. Thomas 19:1-5.1 It shows a glimpse into the life of Christ. It gives
us the hurt felt by Mary and Joseph and it also tells us what is coming.

Luke 2:41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem – This is the family’s
custom.
Passover – Passover, Feast of Booths, and Pentecost are the three festivals
that Jews want to celibate in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:16; Exodus 23:14-
15).2
1
Luke Timothy Johnson; Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., editor, The Gospel of Luke, Volume 3,
Sacra Pagina, (The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1991), p. 60.
2
Ibid., p. 58.

3
Luke 2:42 twelve years old – Later documents such as the Pirke Aboth (Sayings
of the Jewish Fathers) 5.21 state a child of thirteen can keep the command-
ments and others say a boy of twelve must keep the vows he makes.3 .

Luke 2:43 the boy Jesus stayed – This was His decision.

Luke 2:44 the group of travellers – The term συνοδία indicates a group of rela-
tives traveling together.4

Luke 2:45 When they did not find him – Loosing a child frightens parents.

Luke 2:46

Luke 2:47 were amazed at his understanding and his answers – ἐξίστημι is used
by the author to express a wide range of emotions.5

Luke 2:48 in great anxiety – The author Luke/Acts uses ὀδυνάομαι for “both
mental and physical suffering.”6
have been searching – This translation in the NRSV follows Nestle 26th
edition and not the ancient manuscripts.7

Luke 2:49 Did you not know – There is a hint that Mary and Joseph should
understand.8
in my Father’s house – The meaning of this is difficult to understand.9

Luke 2:50 did not understand – This remains a theme (Luke 8:10; 9:45; 18:34;
Acts 3:17; 7:25).10

Luke 2:51

Luke 2:52
3
Johnson, Luke, p. 58-59.
4
Ibid., p. 59.
5
Ibid.
6
Ibid.
7
Ibid.
8
Ibid.
9
Ibid.
10
Ibid.

4
References
Johnson, Luke Timothy; Harrington, S.J., Daniel J., editor, The Gospel of Luke,
Volume 3, Sacra Pagina, (The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN: The
Liturgical Press, 1991).