Tuesday of the 4th week of Advent

24And after she had weaned him, she brought him with her, along with three calves, and three measures of flour, and a small bottle of wine, and she led him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. But the boy was still a young child. 25And they immolated a calf, and they presented the boy to Eli. 26And Hannah said: “I beg you, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord: I am that woman, who stood before you here, praying to the Lord. 27I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted to me my petition, which I asked of him. 28Because of this, I have also lent him to the Lord, for all the days when he shall be lent to the Lord.” And they adored the Lord in that place. And Hannah prayed, and she said:

1“My heart exults in the Lord, and my horn is exalted in my God. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies. For I have rejoiced in your salvation.

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4The bow of the powerful has been overwhelmed, and the weak have been girded with strength.

5Those who before were filled, have hired themselves out for bread. And the starving have been filled, so that the barren have given birth to many. But she who had borne many sons has become unable.

6The Lord brings death, and he gives life. He leads away to death, and he brings back again.

7The Lord impoverishes, and he enriches. He humbles, and he lifts up.

8He raises up the indigent from the dust, and he lifts up the poor from filth, so that they may sit with princes, and take hold of a throne of glory. For the hinges of the earth belong to the Lord, and he has placed the globe upon them.

46And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord. 47And my spirit leaps for joy in God my Savior. 48For he has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed. 49For he who is great has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him. 51He has accomplished powerful deeds with his arm. He has scattered the arrogant in the intentions of their heart. 52He has deposed the powerful from their seat, and he has exalted the humble. 53He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54He has taken up his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy, 55just as he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” 56Then Mary stayed with her for about three months. And she returned to her own house.