Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

Daily Mass Readings for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

• First Reading - 1 Samuel 16:1-13: God directs Samuel to anoint a new king, leading him to Jesse's house in Bethlehem. Disregarding outward appearances, God chooses David, the youngest son, anointing him with His Spirit.
• Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 89: God declares in a vision His choice of David, anointing him as king. Promising unwavering support and strength, God elevates David, acknowledging him as a foremost king.
• Gospel - Mark 2:23-28: While traversing a grain field on the Sabbath, Jesus' disciples picked grains, leading Pharisees to challenge their actions. Jesus cited David's act of eating consecrated bread, reserved for priests, to highlight the precedence of human need over strict Sabbath observance. He taught that the Sabbath serves humanity's welfare, asserting His authority as the Son of Man over the Sabbath, thus redefining its purpose and application.

The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.

Mark 2:27-28

Themes for the Readings for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

The themes for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, as reflected in the readings, include:

1. Divine Guidance and Choice: In the First Reading, God guides Samuel to anoint David as king, emphasizing that God's choice is based on inner qualities rather than external appearances. This highlights the theme of divine discernment and the importance of inner virtues.
2. Divine Anointing and Support: Psalm 89 reflects on God's promise to David, emphasizing divine support and the special anointing of David as king. This theme underscores God's faithfulness and the idea of being chosen and supported by God.
3. Authority and Redefinition of Religious Practice: The Gospel reading from Mark 2:23-28 presents Jesus challenging traditional interpretations of the Sabbath. This introduces themes of authority, particularly Christ's authority, and the redefinition or deeper understanding of religious laws and practices.
4. Precedence of Human Need over Ritual Law: In the Gospel, Jesus uses the example of David eating consecrated bread to illustrate that human need can supersede strict religious observance. This emphasizes the theme of compassion and understanding within the framework of religious practice.
5. The Role of the Sabbath: Jesus' teaching about the Sabbath highlights its intended purpose: to serve humanity's welfare, not to impose burdensome restrictions. This theme invites reflection on the meaning and observance of religious practices in daily life.

These themes for the Readings for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 collectively offer a nuanced understanding of how divine choice operates beyond human expectations, the significance of divine support and anointing, the authority of Jesus in interpreting religious law, the balance between religious observance and human needs, and the purpose of the Sabbath as a gift to humanity.

Reflecting on the readings for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we find a profound exploration of divine choice, authority, and the essence of religious observance.

In the Gospel of Mark 2:23-28, we encounter Jesus and his disciples walking through a grain field on the Sabbath. The disciples, hungry, begin to pluck heads of grain. This act draws criticism from the Pharisees, who see it as a violation of the Sabbath law. Jesus responds with a reference to David, who, when in need, ate the consecrated bread that was legally reserved for priests. This response is not merely a defense of his disciples' actions but a profound teaching on the Sabbath's purpose.

Jesus' reference to David ties directly to the First Reading from 1 Samuel 16:1-13. Here, God directs Samuel to anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse, as the new king. This choice is significant; God does not choose the eldest or the most physically imposing but David, a shepherd boy with a heart after God’s own. The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. This principle underlines the Gospel event: God's laws are not about external observance but the heart's orientation.

In both instances, with David and with Jesus' disciples, the focus shifts from external adherence to inner understanding and need. David, chosen for his heart, acts out of necessity and faith, as do Jesus' disciples. The Pharisees, however, are caught in the trap of literalism, focusing on the letter rather than the spirit of the law.

This brings us to the Psalm, a song of God's steadfast love and faithfulness to David. It reflects on the divine promise to David and his lineage, a promise fulfilled in Christ. In the Psalm, as in the Gospel, there's an emphasis on divine choice and support, underlining the continuity of God's plan.

Jesus, in declaring, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath," reveals the heart of God's law. It's a law meant for human flourishing, not for its own sake. The Pharisees had lost sight of this, entangled in a web of legalism that obscured the law's intent. Jesus, as the Lord of the Sabbath, reorients their understanding to the law's true purpose: to serve life and human need.

In essence, these readings invite us to a deeper understanding of divine law and choice. They challenge us to look beyond outward appearances and literal interpretations, urging us to see as God sees: the heart, the need, the deeper intent. They call us to a faith that is alive and responsive to human need, grounded in compassion and understanding.

As we reflect on these readings for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, let us ask ourselves: Are we, like the Pharisees, caught up in the letter of the law, or do we embrace the spirit of the law as Jesus teaches? Are we open to God's unexpected choices and ways? How do we live out the Sabbath, and indeed all God's commands, in a way that reflects their true purpose for our lives and the lives of those around us?

Prayer

Jesus, teach me to be generous when I view others violating the rules. You understand their motivation, I do not. Let me leave the judgement to you. Amen.

What date is Tuesday of the 2nd 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 Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Tuesday January 20, 2026 are:
First Reading - 1 Samuel 16:1-13: David Anointed as King
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 89: God's Choice of David
Gospel - Mark 2:23-28: Sabbath and Human Need

What is the significance of the First Reading for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

1 Samuel 16:1-13 illustrates God's unexpected choice of David as king, emphasizing that God values inner virtue over outward appearance. It sets a theme of divine discernment and the importance of heart qualities in God's plan.

How does Psalm 89 relate to the themes for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Psalm 89 reflects on God's promise to David, emphasizing divine support and anointing. It ties into the theme of being chosen by God and His unwavering faithfulness.

What is the main message of the Gospel reading from Mark 2:23-28?

The Gospel for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 highlights Jesus’ teaching on the true purpose of the Sabbath. Jesus emphasizes that the Sabbath was made to serve humanity, not to impose restrictions, challenging traditional interpretations and prioritizing compassion over rigid observance.

How do these readings for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 interconnect?

All readings converge on themes of divine choice, the inner essence of religious observance, and the authority of Jesus in interpreting and fulfilling God's law.

What can we learn from Jesus’ response to the Pharisees about the Sabbath in the Gospel for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus' response teaches us the importance of understanding the spirit of religious laws, showing that human needs and welfare are paramount in God's eyes over strict legalism.

How can we apply the lessons from these readings for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 in our daily lives?

We can apply these teachings by focusing on the inner essence of our faith practices, being compassionate, and prioritizing the welfare of others over rigid adherence to rules.

Why is David's selection as king relevant to understanding the Gospel for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

David’s selection demonstrates God's unconventional choices and sets a precedent for understanding Jesus’ teachings and actions, which often went against societal and religious norms.

Is there a common theme of authority in these readings for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Yes, there is a theme of divine and moral authority, particularly in how Jesus exercises His authority to reinterpret and fulfill the law, showing God’s deeper intentions behind religious practices.

What is a practical takeaway from Jesus' teaching on the Sabbath?

A practical takeaway from the readings for Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 is the call to balance our religious observance with compassion and adaptability, ensuring that our practices benefit and uplift others, rather than becoming burdensome.