Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

• 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.

The themes for the Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, as reflected in the readings, revolve around the concepts of calling, transformation, and the inclusive nature of God's grace. Here's a closer look at each theme:

• Divine Calling and Leadership: In the First Reading, Saul's anointment by Samuel underscores the theme of divine calling. Saul, a humble man from the tribe of Benjamin, is chosen by God to lead Israel. This narrative emphasizes that God often chooses unlikely individuals to fulfill His purposes, illustrating that divine calling is not based on human standards but on God's sovereign plan.
• Transformation and Obedience: Saul's journey from searching for lost donkeys to becoming the anointed leader of Israel symbolizes a transformative journey guided by obedience to God's will. This theme invites reflection on how openness to God’s guidance can lead to unexpected and transformative life paths.
• Inclusivity of God’s Grace: The Gospel presents the calling of Levi, a tax collector, an individual marginalized and looked down upon in Jewish society. Jesus' choice to dine with tax collectors and sinners demonstrates the inclusive nature of God's grace, extending beyond societal boundaries to embrace all, especially those perceived as unworthy or sinful.
• God's Strength and Victory: The Responsorial Psalm celebrates the king's reliance on God's strength and the victories granted by the Lord. It’s a reminder of the joy and fulfillment found in trusting and delighting in God's power and blessings.
• Mission of Redemption: The Gospel emphasizes Jesus' mission to call sinners to repentance. This aligns with the overarching theme of God's redemptive plan for humanity. Jesus' response to the Pharisees highlights His focus on spiritual healing and transformation, akin to a doctor treating the sick.

These themes for the Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 collectively call for a deeper understanding of God's mercy, the transformative power of following God’s call, and the inclusive nature of Jesus' mission. They are particularly relevant in the context of Ordinary Time, a liturgical period that focuses on the growth and maturation of one's spiritual life through the contemplation of Christ's teachings and actions.

The Gospel of Mark on this Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 offers us a moment of profound transformation and a call to see beyond the surface. In the calling of Levi, also known as Matthew, we witness the inclusive and transformative power of Jesus' ministry, a theme that resonates with the readings of the day.

Levi, a tax collector, was a figure of societal disdain, an emblem of betrayal to his people for his collaboration with the Romans. Tax collectors were often viewed not just as outsiders but as sinners, unworthy of respect or association. Yet, it is to Levi that Jesus extends the invitation, "Follow me." This simple, yet powerful call, resonates with an immediacy that disrupts the normal course of life. Levi's response is instantaneous and complete – he follows Jesus, leaving behind his former life.

This encounter is more than just a call to discipleship; it is a radical statement about the nature of God's grace. Jesus, by choosing Levi, demonstrates that God's love and call to conversion are extended to all, irrespective of their social status or past actions. In the meal that follows at Levi's house, Jesus dines with "many tax collectors and sinners." Here, Jesus is not just accepting Levi; He is embracing a whole community often shunned by the religious elite.

This narrative is a profound lesson in looking beyond stereotypes and societal labels. Jesus invites us to see individuals not for their occupations, their past, or their social standing, but as beloved children of God, worthy of love and redemption. It challenges us to question our own prejudices and to extend our hand in fellowship and understanding to those we might otherwise overlook or judge harshly.

The theme of God's inclusive call is echoed in the First Reading, where Saul, a Benjaminite, is chosen by God to be anointed by Samuel as the leader of Israel. Saul's selection is unexpected, marking another instance where God's choice defies human expectations and societal norms. It is a reminder that God often works through the least expected people and situations.

The Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 21, celebrates the king's reliance on God's strength, a fitting accompaniment to the themes of divine calling and unexpected grace. The Psalm's rejoicing in God's blessings and victory serves as a reminder of the joy and fulfillment found in trusting and following God's will, a journey that can lead us to new and unexpected paths of service and love.

In our daily lives, the call of Levi urges us to look deeper, to see the potential disciple in everyone we meet. It's a call to embrace inclusivity, to extend God's grace to all, and to remember that often, those who seem the most unworthy are the ones most in need of compassion and love. As we reflect on these readings for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, let us ask ourselves: whom have we overlooked or misjudged? And how can we, like Jesus, offer an invitation that speaks of hope, transformation, and inclusion?

Prayer

Jesus, forgive me for the times I have not taken to know the people I meet. Teach me to see beyond the surface and seek a true encounter. Amen.

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?

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

What is the significance of the Gospel reading for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Gospel reading for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, Mark 2:13-17, highlights Jesus' inclusive approach to ministry, showing His willingness to call and dine with those marginalized by society, like tax collectors and sinners.

How does the First Reading relate to the theme of Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The First Reading from 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1, where Saul is anointed, complements the Gospel's theme by illustrating God's unexpected choice in leadership, akin to Jesus choosing Levi, a tax collector.

What does Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 teach us about judgment and inclusivity?

This day's readings teach us to look beyond societal judgments and embrace Jesus' example of inclusivity, recognizing the worth and potential in everyone, regardless of their past or social standing.

Can the Responsorial Psalm for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 be linked to the Gospel theme?

Yes, Psalm 21, which speaks of trust and joy in God's strength, can be linked to the Gospel theme by reflecting on the joy and transformation that come from trusting in God's inclusive plan for all people.

What message does Jesus' interaction with Levi on Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 convey?

Jesus' interaction with Levi conveys a message of unconditional grace and the call to follow Christ, regardless of one's past actions or societal status.

How does Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 reflect on the idea of divine calling?

This day reflects on divine calling by showing how God calls diverse individuals like Saul and Levi for His purposes, emphasizing that divine selection often transcends human expectations.

What can we learn from the criticism Jesus faced in the Gospel for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

We learn that following Jesus' example may involve facing criticism or misunderstanding, especially when it involves breaking societal norms to embrace inclusivity and grace.

How does the Gospel for Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 challenge our perceptions of others?

This Gospel challenges us to look beyond stereotypes and societal labels, encouraging us to see each person as a child of God, worthy of love and redemption.

In what way does Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 inspire spiritual growth and reflection?

This day inspires spiritual growth by urging us to reflect on our attitudes towards inclusivity and grace, and to consider how we can follow Jesus' example in our own lives.

What is a key takeaway from the readings of Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 for modern Christians?

A key takeaway is the call to embrace an open, inclusive approach to our faith and life, recognizing the dignity and worth of all individuals, as exemplified by Jesus in the Gospel.