Daily Readings - Sat Jan 18 2020
1 Samuel
1There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin.2He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites-a head taller than any of the others.3Now the donkeys belonging to Saul's father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, "Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys."4So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them.17When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, "This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people."18Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, "Would you please tell me where the seer's house is?"19"I am the seer," Samuel replied. "Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart.
1Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance?
Mark
13Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them.14As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.15While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.16When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"17On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
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.