The Advent/Christmas season has ended and we will be in “ordinary” time for the next eight weeks until Lent begins. In ordinary time a particular book of the Bible is read chapter by chapter. The gospel for these weeks will be taken from Mark, second on our list but probably the first gospel written down. The first reading is taken from 1Samuel. The books of Samuel tell the story of the elevation of a king as the leader of Israel. However, the book begins with some domestic drama. This went on year after year … Peninnah would reproach her, and Hannah would weep and refuse to eat. A good reminder that the plan of God in history is made up of ordinary people — like us.