Daily Readings - Sat Jan 18 2020
1 Samuel
1Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.2And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.3And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.4And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.17And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.18Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is.19And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.
1Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
Mark
13And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.14And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.15And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.16And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?17When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound stories of God's unexpected grace and mission. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of Saul, a young man tasked with finding his father's donkeys. Unbeknownst to Saul, this ordinary task leads him to the prophet Samuel, who anoints him as the first king of Israel. This moment marks a significant shift in Israel's history, as God chooses a humble and reluctant leader to guide His people. The anointing of Saul with oil symbolizes God's favor and the beginning of a new era for Israel.
In the Gospel of Mark, we find Jesus calling Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. Levi, considered a sinner by society, leaves his post immediately to follow Jesus. This act of faith draws criticism from the Pharisees, who question Jesus' association with sinners. Jesus' response underscores His mission: He came not to call the righteous, but sinners, emphasizing compassion and mercy over ritual purity.
Both readings highlight God's penchant for the unexpected. Saul, an unlikely leader, and Levi, a marginalized tax collector, are chosen by God for significant roles. These stories remind us that God's grace often appears in unexpected places and through unexpected people. They challenge us to embrace humility, remain open to God's call, and extend compassion to all, especially those on the margins. Let us reflect on how we might be called to serve in unexpected ways and how we can offer love and understanding to those around us, just as Jesus did.