000 Allen FMT (i-xxii) - The Presbyterian Leader

First Sunday after the Epiphany/Year C 219
A holy person brought a message from God to Eli. While God had
revealed to Eli’s ancestors that they would be priestly, God is now displeased
with Eli’s children (2:27–29). Consequently, God would cut off
Eli’s household so that “no one in your family will live to old age” (vv.
30–32). Abiathar will survive but grieve (v. 33; cf. 1 Kgs. 2:26–27). Hophni
and Phinehas die on the same day (v. 34).
In place of Eli’s family, God will raise up “a faithful priest” who will “do
what is in my heart and mind,” and for whom God will build “a sure house”
(v. 35). Many commentators understand this priest as Zadok. However,
Robert Polzin points out that the literary context, and a number of verbal
clues point to Samuel. 64 For the Deuteronomist, Samuel is a better representative
of the faithful priest, though Samuel himself is not always faultless.
Luke 2:52 directly recalls 1 Samuel 2:26 in wanting listeners to recognize
that Jesus is a religious leader in the line of the Deuteronomic
Samuel, who resisted conventional monarchy (with the dangers cataloged
in the books of Samuel and Kings) and who sought blessing for all through
prophetic leadership in covenantal community.
Second Sunday after Christmas Day/Year C
Jeremiah 31:7–14 or Sirach 24:1–12
For comments on the readings for Second Sunday after Christmas
Day/Years A B C, please see Second Sunday after Christmas Day/
Year A.
Epiphany of the Lord/Year C
Isaiah 60:1–6
For comments on this passage, please see Epiphany of the Lord/Year A.
First Sunday after the Epiphany/Year C
Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 43:1–7
Today’s reading is as pure a statement of God’s unconditional love for
Israel and all people as can be found in the Scriptures. Its center is in verse
4: “Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you.”