Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time
Saturday January 23, 2027

Daily Mass Readings for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
- First Reading – Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14: Christ, as a high priest, entered a perfect tabernacle with His own blood, surpassing animal sacrifices, and securing eternal redemption, purifying us to serve the living God.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 47: God, the awe-inspiring king, ascends His throne amid joy and trumpets. He reigns over all the earth, deserving of our continual praises and songs.
- Gospel – Mark 3:20-21: Jesus and His disciples, entering a house, were surrounded by crowds so large they couldn’t even eat. His relatives, hearing of the situation and concerned for His well-being, intended to take Him away, believing He was overwhelmed or not in His right mind.
When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.’
Mark 3:21
Themes for the Readings for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invites us to reflect on Jesus’ mission and the importance of His sacrifice. The readings also challenge us to think about how we respond to Jesus and how we live out our faith.
- Jesus as the Perfect Priest: The first reading shows how Jesus entered the heavenly sanctuary to offer His sacrifice. His offering cleanses us from sin and brings us closer to God.
- Power of Jesus’ Sacrifice: Jesus’ sacrifice was not like the sacrifices of old. It was complete and brings new life to all who believe in Him.
- The New Covenant: The reading points to a new way of worship through Jesus. He made a way for us to have a closer relationship with God.
- Misunderstanding Jesus’ Mission: In the Gospel, Jesus’ family misunderstands His mission. This reminds us that not everyone fully understands God’s plan at first.
- The Cost of Following Jesus: Jesus faced challenges, even from His own family. Following Him sometimes means dealing with misunderstanding or opposition.
- Faith in Jesus’ Work: The readings call us to trust in Jesus and His mission. His work is for our salvation, and we are called to believe in it.
Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice. It also reminds us that following Him can be hard but leads to true life.
Reflection for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1

Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 invites us to reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ mission, His sacrifice, and how we respond to Him. The readings remind us of the new covenant Jesus established, the misunderstandings He faced, and the importance of faithfulness. These reflections help us consider how we can grow closer to God and live out our faith.
The New Covenant and a Closer Relationship with God
The first reading for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 explains how Jesus established a new covenant through His sacrifice. The old way of worship involved animal sacrifices and rituals that could not fully remove sin. Jesus, through His perfect sacrifice, made it possible for us to have a deeper and lasting relationship with God.
This new covenant changes how we approach God. Instead of relying on external rituals, we are called to place our trust in Jesus’ sacrifice and to open our hearts to Him. He offered Himself so we could experience forgiveness and healing in a way that the old covenant could never provide.
As we reflect on this new covenant, we are reminded to trust in Jesus and His saving work. We are invited to let go of fear and doubt and to live in the freedom that comes from His sacrifice. On Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we can give thanks for this new relationship with God and ask for the grace to live as people of the new covenant.
Misunderstanding Jesus’ Mission
In the Gospel for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus faces misunderstanding from His own family. They see Him surrounded by crowds and busy with His ministry, and they believe He is out of His mind. This reaction shows how even those closest to Him did not fully understand His mission.
This misunderstanding reminds us that Jesus’ work often challenged expectations. He came to save the world, but His methods were not what people expected. Instead of seeking power and comfort, He lived humbly and spent time with those who were rejected. His family’s reaction reflects the confusion many people felt about who He was and what He came to do.
We might face similar misunderstandings when we try to live out our faith. Some people may question our choices or fail to see the importance of following Jesus. On Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded to stay focused on our mission, even when others do not understand.
Sacrifice and Faithfulness
Both the first reading and the Gospel for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 show the theme of sacrifice and faithfulness. The first reading describes how Jesus offered His own life to bring salvation. His sacrifice was not easy, but He remained faithful to His mission to save us.
In the Gospel, Jesus faces challenges from His family, who misunderstand Him. He continues His work, even when it is difficult and others question His actions. This shows us how Jesus remained faithful to His calling, no matter what obstacles He faced.
We can learn from Jesus’ example of sacrifice and faithfulness. Following God’s will often involves challenges and requires us to persevere. On Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are encouraged to trust in God and to remain faithful to what He asks of us, just as Jesus did.
On Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are called to trust in Jesus and His sacrifice, even when we face challenges or feel misunderstood. As we reflect on His mission and the new covenant, we are reminded to remain faithful and to live in a way that reflects His love and mercy.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of the new covenant and for Your sacrifice that brings us closer to God. Help us to trust in You, even when others misunderstand us or when life feels hard. Give us the strength to remain faithful and to follow Your example each day. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How does the new covenant Jesus established affect the way you see your relationship with God?
- Have you ever felt misunderstood when trying to live out your faith? How did you respond?
- What can you learn from Jesus’ faithfulness to His mission, even in the face of challenges?
- How can you trust more deeply in Jesus’ sacrifice and love in your daily life?
Homilies and Commentaries for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
On the Offensive
In his reflection for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Bishop Robert Barron discusses how Jesus’ relatives, perceiving Him as mad, exemplify the issue of ego defense. This often manifests as oppressive behavior towards others, either blatantly as a bully or subtly through moral judgment and accusations.
Bishop Barron warns against the dangers of ego addiction, urging us to avoid this trap and not to confuse it with legitimate fraternal correction or preaching.
Questions and Answers for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
What date is Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The next date is Saturday January 23, 2027.
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 even numbered years see Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
What are the Mass readings for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
The Mass readings for Saturday January 23, 2027 are:
First Reading – Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14: Christ’s Eternal Redemption
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 47: God’s Majestic Reign
Gospel – Mark 3:20-21: Concern for Jesus
Why is Jesus called the perfect priest in the first reading for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Jesus is called the perfect priest because He offered Himself as the final and perfect sacrifice for sins. His sacrifice was complete and brought people closer to God in a way the old sacrifices could not.
What is the meaning of the heavenly sanctuary in the first reading?
The heavenly sanctuary represents God’s presence in heaven. Jesus entered it through His sacrifice, opening the way for us to have a deeper relationship with God.
How does Jesus’ sacrifice cleanse us?
Jesus’ sacrifice cleanses us by removing sin and offering us a fresh start. It allows us to live in a closer relationship with God and to turn away from things that separate us from Him.
What does the new covenant mean in the first reading?
The new covenant is the new way of worship and relationship with God through Jesus. It replaces the old system of sacrifices and brings us closer to God in a lasting way.
Why is Jesus’ sacrifice important for us today?
Jesus’ sacrifice is important because it brings us forgiveness and a way to live in peace with God. It gives us hope and helps us live with faith, no matter what challenges we face.
Why does Jesus’ family misunderstand Him in the Gospel for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Jesus’ family misunderstands Him because they do not fully grasp His mission. They think He is acting strangely, but He is focused on His work to save others.
What does the Gospel teach us about following Jesus?
The Gospel reminds us that following Jesus can bring challenges, even misunderstanding from others. It shows that staying faithful to Him is worth the effort, even when it is hard.
What can we learn about faith from the readings for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
We learn that faith means trusting in Jesus’ work and mission, even when others do not understand. Faith also means being confident that His sacrifice gives us new life.
How do the readings for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 challenge us to live?
The readings challenge us to trust in Jesus’ sacrifice and to follow Him, even when it is difficult. They also remind us to stay focused on God, even when others do not understand our faith.
How can we apply these readings for Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 to our daily lives?
We can apply these readings by trusting in Jesus when we face difficulties or feel misunderstood. We can also focus on helping others come closer to God through our words and actions.
Jesus’ Sacrifice and Misunderstanding
Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 focuses on Jesus’ role as the perfect priest and the challenges He faced during His ministry. The first reading explains how Jesus entered the heavenly sanctuary and offered His sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. His offering was different from the sacrifices of the old covenant because it was complete and gave new life to all who believe in Him.
The Gospel shows Jesus being misunderstood by His own family. They think He is acting strangely and try to stop Him. This shows how even those closest to Jesus struggled to understand His mission. It reminds us that following Jesus can sometimes lead to challenges, especially when others do not understand our faith.
Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 encourages us to trust in Jesus’ sacrifice and His mission to save us. It also reminds us to stay strong in faith, even when others question or misunderstand our beliefs.
Your Turn
On Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice and how it gives us hope. Think about how we can stay faithful to Him, even when it is hard.
Take time to read and pray about the first reading and the Gospel. Reflect on how these passages speak to your life. Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments. Your insights may inspire others to trust in Jesus and stay faithful to their calling.
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