Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1: Saul, a handsome Benjaminite, was anointed by Samuel, as God had chosen him to lead and save Israel. This journey began with a search for his father’s lost donkeys.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 21: The king delights in the Lord’s strength and victories, his deepest desires fulfilled. Crowned and blessed by God, he enjoys eternal life and joy in God’s presence.
• Gospel – Mark 2:13-17: During a seaside walk, Jesus encountered Levi, a tax collector, and called him to discipleship. Levi immediately followed. At a meal in Levi’s house, Jesus dined with many tax collectors and sinners, which troubled some Pharisee scribes. Questioning Jesus’ choice of company, they received His profound reply: He came to reach not the self-righteous, but sinners, much like a doctor focuses on the ill. This response highlighted Jesus’ mission of offering repentance and grace to those most in need.

Lectionary Reference: 310

Upcoming dates: January 17, 2026, January 15, 2028, January 19, 2030, January 17, 2032

Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.

Mark 2:17

On Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings highlight themes of God’s guidance, unexpected choices, and the call to follow Jesus. In 1 Samuel, we see the anointing of Saul as king, chosen from humble beginnings, while in the Gospel, Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. These themes remind us of God’s mercy, His ability to see beyond appearances, and His invitation to everyone.

• God’s Guidance in Choosing: In 1 Samuel, God directs Samuel to Saul, showing that God guides us even when the purpose isn’t clear. This reminds us to trust in God’s choices and timing, especially when we don’t understand His plans.
• Unexpected Choices: God’s choice of Saul, a simple man from an ordinary family, shows that He often chooses those whom others overlook. This reminds us that God sees value and potential in each of us, regardless of status or background.
• Jesus Calls the Outsiders: In the Gospel, Jesus invites Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him, welcoming someone considered unworthy by society. This demonstrates that Jesus reaches out to all, offering acceptance and a new path.
• God’s Mercy for All: Jesus’ willingness to eat with sinners reflects God’s mercy and openness to those who feel distant from Him. This example shows us that God is close to everyone, especially those who seek Him with sincerity.
• Responding to God’s Call: Both Saul’s anointing and Levi’s calling show the importance of responding to God’s invitation. Each person is given a chance to step into a new role, reminding us to be open when God calls us.
• Seeing Beyond Appearances: God sees Saul’s potential, and Jesus looks past Levi’s job as a tax collector, showing that God looks beyond appearances. This theme encourages us to look deeper and appreciate others as God does.

These themes for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, encourage us to trust in God’s plans, be open to His call, and embrace the mercy He extends to all. They remind us that God values each person and calls us to live in His love.

On Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings show us how God calls and values each person. In the first reading, Saul, a simple man, is anointed as king, while in the Gospel, Jesus invites Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. These moments remind us of God’s invitation, His ability to see beyond appearances, and His mercy for all. Through these stories, we learn that God sees our potential, calls us to new roles, and welcomes us to experience His kindness.

Responding to God’s Invitation

On Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, both Saul and Levi are invited by God to step into new roles. Saul, a young man from a humble family, is chosen to be the first king of Israel. Levi, a tax collector often viewed as an outsider, is invited by Jesus to follow Him and become a disciple. Each of them faces a choice: to embrace the unexpected call or to remain in their former lives.

God’s invitation often comes in surprising ways and may ask us to change direction. Just as Saul and Levi were offered new paths, we too might feel a call from God that challenges our comfort or expectations. These stories remind us to remain open when God calls, even if it feels unexpected or difficult. Responding to God’s invitation often leads us into roles we may not have imagined for ourselves.

The call to follow God is open to all of us. Like Saul and Levi, we are given opportunities to say “yes” to new roles in our lives of faith. Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, encourages us to be ready to answer when God invites us, trusting that His plans bring purpose and meaning to our lives.

Looking Beyond Appearances

The readings for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, show us how God looks past appearances to see the heart. Saul is chosen as king despite his humble background, and Levi is called by Jesus even though he is a tax collector. In both cases, God sees potential and purpose beyond what others may judge or dismiss.

It’s easy to judge people based on their status, job, or past choices, but these readings invite us to see others as God sees them. God looks beyond labels and external traits to see the goodness and potential within each person. Jesus calling Levi reminds us that He values every person, especially those who may feel overlooked or unworthy.

This theme challenges us to look deeper and appreciate others as God does. By choosing to see people beyond their roles or pasts, we open ourselves to a more compassionate way of living. Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, invites us to let go of judgments and to approach each person with respect and understanding, just as Jesus did with Levi.

God’s Mercy for All

Both the story of Saul’s anointing and the Gospel’s account of Levi’s calling reveal God’s mercy. Saul, an ordinary man, is chosen by God to lead His people, showing that God’s kindness and guidance are extended even to those who may seem unprepared. In the Gospel, Jesus chooses to dine with Levi and other sinners, demonstrating that God’s mercy reaches all people, regardless of their past.

God’s mercy is open to everyone who seeks Him. Jesus’ willingness to associate with tax collectors and sinners teaches us that no one is beyond the reach of His kindness. He doesn’t demand perfection but invites all to come to Him and grow closer in faith. Levi’s response to Jesus’ call shows how one act of mercy can transform a person’s life.

These readings encourage us to accept God’s mercy for ourselves and to share it with others. By embracing God’s forgiveness, we are able to grow in faith and lead lives filled with peace and hope. Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, reminds us that God’s mercy is for all and that He calls each of us to live in that mercy and extend it to those around us.

---

Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, encourages us to respond to God’s call with openness, to look at others as God does, and to embrace His mercy. Just as God reached out to Saul and Levi, He reaches out to each of us, offering purpose, acceptance, and love. May we carry these lessons forward, trusting in God’s guidance and sharing His mercy with those around us.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for seeing our potential and calling us to follow You. Help us to be open to Your guidance and to welcome others with kindness and acceptance. Fill us with the courage to respond to Your call and to share Your mercy with others. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How do I respond when I feel God calling me to something new?
• In what ways can I look beyond appearances to appreciate others as God does?
• How has God’s mercy touched my life, and how can I share that mercy with others?
• What areas in my life could I open more to God’s guidance and care?

A Welcoming Table

Fr. Richard Rohr reflects on Jesus’ practice of dining with diverse groups as a model for Christian inclusivity, a theme resonating with the Gospel for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Mark 2:13-17, where Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners. He reflects the tendency to turn the Eucharist, symbolizing equality and inclusivity, into a marker of division between the ‘worthy’ and ‘unworthy’. Rohr observes that Jesus’ inclusive eating habits often attracted criticism, yet they were central to his mission. He laments humanity’s habitual exclusion of ‘the other’, noting our struggle to embrace a positive, inclusive identity as envisioned in the Eucharist, which should reflect unity and equal dignity.

What date is Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Saturday January 17, 2026.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For odd numbered years see Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Saturday January 17, 2026 are:
First Reading – 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1: Saul’s Anointing as Leader
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 21: King’s Joy in Divine Strength
Gospel – Mark 2:13-17: Levi’s Call and Jesus’ Mission

Why did God choose Saul as king in the first reading for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

God chose Saul to lead Israel, even though Saul came from a humble background. This choice shows that God sees potential in people whom others may overlook.

What does Saul’s anointing as king mean for us?

Saul’s anointing reminds us that God has a purpose for each person. It encourages us to trust in His plans for our lives, even if we feel unprepared or unworthy.

How does God guide us in daily life?

The reading from 1 Samuel shows that God guides those who seek Him. We are encouraged to pray and ask for His direction, trusting that He will lead us where we need to be.

Why did Jesus call Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him in the Gospel for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus called Levi to show that He welcomes all people, regardless of their past or reputation. This teaches us that Jesus offers a new path to everyone, inviting them to grow closer to God.

What can we learn from Jesus dining with sinners?

Jesus’ choice to dine with sinners shows His acceptance and mercy. It reminds us that God is close to everyone, especially those who feel far from Him, and invites them to turn to Him.

Why does Jesus reach out to those considered outsiders?

Jesus reaches out to outsiders to show that God’s love is for everyone, not just those seen as “good” or “worthy.” This reminds us to be open and welcoming to others, just as Jesus is.

How can we respond to God’s call, like Saul and Levi?

We can respond to God’s call by being open to His plans, even if they are unexpected. Both Saul and Levi show us that accepting God’s invitation can lead to a meaningful and purpose-filled life.

What can we learn from God’s choice of Saul and Jesus’ choice of Levi?

God’s choices remind us that He looks beyond appearances and sees the heart. This teaches us to look deeper and to value people as God does, seeing each person’s unique worth.

How can these readings help us live our faith?

The readings for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, encourage us to trust in God’s guidance, to respond to His call, and to show mercy to others. By living with openness and compassion, we draw closer to God and to one another.