That crazy lady

Many of us who have spent a lot of time around churches may be able to resonate with the experience of Eli in today’s first reading (1 Samuel 1:9-20).

How many times have we seen a woman or a man behaving strangely in and around a church, someone who appears to be drunk or mentally ill?

Many times, they are indeed mentally ill or impaired in some way, but (as experience and also today’s reading teach us) not always.

We must exercise discernment and be extremely prudent, of course, protecting ourselves, other parishioners, and also the sacredness of our churches.

But while we must be prudent and properly protective, we must also be careful about snap judgments and we must always be compassionate and charitable.

Perhaps that person is another Hannah: a holy person in a difficult situation.

But even if that person is “crazy” or “drunk”, while remaining prudent and protective, we must always show that person, just like anyone else, the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.