Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 14, 2026
First Reading: 1 Samuel 3.1-10, 19-20
1Now the young man Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.2At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place.3The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.4Then the LORD called Samuel, and he said, "Here I am!"5and ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call; lie down again." So he went and lay down.6And the LORD called again, "Samuel!" and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son; lie down again."7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.8And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the young man.9Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.10And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant hears."19And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.20And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD.
Psalm 40
1I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.2He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.3He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.4Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!5You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.6Sacrifice and offering you have not desired, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.7Then I said, "Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me:8I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."9I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD.10I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.11As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!12For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!14Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt!15Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"16But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the LORD!"17As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!
Gospel: Mark 1.29-39
29And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.30Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.31And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.32That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.33And the whole city was gathered together at the door.34And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.35And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.36And Simon and those who were with him searched for him,37and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you."38And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out."39And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Sermon
Our first reading today from the Book of Samuel presents a beautiful and foundational image of divine calling. Young Samuel serves in the temple, unaware of God's direct voice. Repeatedly called in the night, he mistakes it for Eli, his mentor. It is only through Eli's wise discernment that Samuel learns to respond with open humility: "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." This moment marks the beginning of Samuel's prophetic journey, illustrating how God often calls us, sometimes subtly, sometimes persistently, and the vital role of spiritual guidance in helping us recognize His presence and hear His word amidst the noise of our lives. Samuel's growth and faithfulness demonstrate the power of a heart attuned to God's will.
In the Gospel of Mark, we witness Jesus' active ministry unfold with power and compassion. He heals Simon's mother-in-law, then spends the evening healing many others, clearly demonstrating his divine authority over illness and evil. Yet, amidst such intense demands and widespread popularity, Jesus does not succumb to the endless clamor for his attention. Instead, he withdraws to a deserted place to pray, grounding his ministry in intimate communion with the Father. This spiritual renewal clarifies his purpose: "Let us go into the neighboring towns and cities, so that I may preach there also. Indeed, it was for this reason that I came." Jesus teaches us that true service to God flows not merely from responding to every demand, but from a clear understanding of our divine mission, sustained by persistent prayer.
Both readings, though separated by centuries, speak to a central truth: our lives of faith are a rhythm of listening and responding. Like Samuel, we are called to cultivate an inner readiness to hear God’s voice, trusting that He speaks to us in various ways – through scripture, prayer, conscience, and the wisdom of others. And like Jesus, our active engagement in the world, our service and witness, must always be rooted in a deep, personal relationship with God, regularly nurtured through prayer and reflection. It is by saying, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening," and then seeking the quiet places to connect with Him, that we are empowered to live out our mission, bringing His healing and truth to those around us, not according to our own strength or the world's demands, but according to His divine will.