December 22, 2003, Friday of the third week of Advent.

A reading from the first book of Samuel.

In those days, Hannah brought Samuel with her along with a three-year-old bull,

an effa of flour and a skin of wine,

and presented him at the temple of the Lord

in Shiloh.

After the boy's father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother, approached Eli,

and said,

Pardon my lord, as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here praying to the Lord.

I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request.

Now I in turn give him to the Lord as long as he lives he shall be dedicated to the Lord.

She left Samuel there.

The Word of the Lord. The responsorial Psalm. The response is,

My heart exalts in the Lord, my Savior. My heart exalts in the Lord. My horn is exalted in my God.

I have swallowed up my enemies. I rejoice in my victory.

My heart exalts in the Lord, my Savior. The bows of the mighty are broken, while the tottering

gird on strength. The well-fed hire themselves out for bread, while the hungry batten on spoil.

The barren wife bears seven sons, while the mother of many languishes.

My heart exalts in the Lord, my Savior. The Lord puts to death and gives life.

He casts down to the nether world.

He raises up again.

The Lord makes poor and makes rich.

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