Daily Readings - Sat Jan 15 2022
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 powerful moments of divine calling and transformation. In the first reading from 1 Samuel, we see the humble beginnings of Saul, who is unexpectedly chosen by God to be the first king of Israel. Samuel, the prophet, anoints Saul with oil, signifying God’s favor and the beginning of a new era for His people. This moment is not just about Saul’s elevation but also about God’s trust in him despite his limitations. Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. Levi, who was considered an outcast by society, is transformed by Jesus’ invitation, leaving behind his old life to become a disciple. These readings remind us that God often chooses the unexpected and the marginalized to carry out His plan.
The context of these readings reveals God’s mercy and His desire to reach out to those who feel unworthy or excluded. In 1 Samuel, the Israelites were struggling with leadership, and God chose Saul, a man who was not from a royal lineage, to lead them. This shows that God’s ways are not our ways, and His choices often surprise us. In the Gospel, Jesus’ ministry is marked by His willingness to dine with tax collectors and sinners, scandalizing the religious leaders of the time. Jesus’ response, “The healthy have no need of a doctor, but those who have maladies do,” emphasizes His mission to call sinners to repentance and healing. Both readings highlight God’s love for the broken and His desire to bring them into His fold.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like Saul and Levi, we are all called by God, not because of our worthiness, but because of His mercy and grace. We are called to embrace our mission, whatever it may be, with humility and trust in God’s plan. Let us also imitate Jesus’ compassion by reaching out to those on the margins, remembering that we are all sinners in need of God’s healing touch. May we respond to God’s call with open hearts, just as Levi did, and may we trust in His plan, even when it seems unexpected or challenging.