I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation - 1 Samuel 2:1 (NKJV)

Greetings in Jesus’ Most Holy Name!


Are you sad :( or happy :) today? We can smile when we are happy and when we are sad too, but the difference in the quality of your smile is known only to you and to God.

What enabled Hannah to smile at her enemies? She had been enduring deep sorrow and taunts from people around her. And how did she respond to this? She expressed the anguish of her soul by pouring out her heart to God in prayer and with tears. It’s interesting to note that she was no longer sad after she expressed her grief to God - 1 Sam 1:18. I believe she was able to make this transition after being filled with a deep conviction and peace in her heart that God would indeed grant her prayer. She continued to worship the Lord and we know that God did grant her request. Her persistent trust and confidence in God to answer her heart-felt prayer was rewarded. Did she have reasons to smile? Oh yes indeed, because she who was barren was blessed with a son and she bore 3 sons and 2 daughters!

Crucified smiling Christ

Hannah was able to smile at her tormentors because her focus was on the Lord as her only source of strength and joy. Her heart was rejoicing in her Lord, who made her smile at her enemies. This verse from 1 Samuel 2:1 also reminds me of the image of the smiling crucified Christ. We are in the joyous season of Easter, celebrating Christ’s triumphant victory over sin, death and evil! Jesus had endured betrayal, cruel treatment, humiliation and a painful death at the hands of His enemies, yet He endured this cruelty and proclaimed, “It is finished.” HE who was sinless died for the sins of the world and out of deep love, He too must have smiled at His enemies because He was rejoicing in the work of salvation, which He had accomplished once and for all by His death on the Cross!

Few years ago, while in deep contemplation before an image of our Lord Jesus, I had seen Him smiling and had not known what this meant. A preacher had explained to me that when God smiles, it means He is answering prayer. I believe this is true! I’d read an SMS – ‘A person who truly loves you and knows you is someone who still sees the pain in your eyes while everyone else still believes the smile on your face.’ These words are apt only for our Lord, because only He, who created each one of us, knows us uniquely, loves us and truly understands us. Yet, how often do we tend to seek human consolation first and God comes last on our list. You may pour out your woes and even your heart to a human being (a close friend, spouse, loved one, or a spiritual advisor) who will empathize and console you. You may feel comforted and relieved for some time by doing this, yet you will realize that a void still remains in your heart and soul, until you offer it to the Lord and spend time with Him. He alone can heal and fill this void because He understands your pain like no one else does and He longs to help you. Human beings will disappoint us but not God! Only in HIS loving arms will our heart and soul find rest.

Brothers and sisters, are you in the midst of a battle, waiting for your prayers to be answered? Perhaps, days, months and years have passed by and you wonder – Is God listening to my prayer? How long must I wait, Lord? Begin by BELIEVING that God has not forgotten you and your situation and even right now as you are reading this, He is at work in ways, which you cannot imagine. Keep thanking and praising God for whatever situation you are undergoing, however difficult, painful and traumatic it may be. Yes, thank Him even for your enemies and forgive them because He will surely fulfill His Word concerning them as you place your trust in Him and invoke His mercy upon yourself and your tormentors.

Today, as we celebrate the Divine Mercy feast, let us draw close to our Lord, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, thus fulfilling His Holy will which is LOVE and MERCY itself.

God loves you and is deeply aware of all that you are enduring and He will never forsake you. The prayer answering living God of Hannah is still the same; today and forever. He is never late and in His time, He makes all things new and beautiful!

 Spiritual Exercise: During your time of personal prayer with our Lord, claim His Word in faith. Repeatedly, read aloud 1 Samuel 2:1 until His Word becomes rooted in your mind and heart and you are filled with His deep peace. Rejoice in Him for whom nothing is impossible and watch as He fills your mouth and life with smiles and laughter! Remember the key word here is – REJOICE in Him!

Spiritual Tip: Do not just read and repeat the Word in vain. If you find it difficult to focus while praying with the Word, repeat the verse meaningfully during recitation of the Rosary before every Hail Mary; thus you can complete a Scriptural Rosary!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your Word. Grant me the grace to rejoice in You even in the midst of the storms in my life, so that Your joy becomes my strength and is fulfilled in me. Amen.

- John 16:24; John 15:11; John 17:13; Nehemiah 8:10

In union of prayers,
God bless you!
Monisha Rebello

You may submit your prayer requests, which will be treated with absolute confidence. Remember to glorify our Lord as soon as He blesses you. You can send in your testimonies with permission to publish them online at www.heavensmission.witnesstoday.org