The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary challenge us to contemplate the areas in our lives where we are called to bring healing to the people and circumstances we encounter.
In the Reading from the First Letter of Samuel, while searching for The Lost Donkeys, Saul Meets Samuel.
h. [9:16] 1 Sm 10:1; Jgs 6:14. (1 Samuel, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 21 is a Royal Psalm of thanksgiving.
* [Psalm 21] The first part of this royal Psalm is a thanksgiving (Ps 21:2–8), and the second is a promise that the king will triumph over his enemies (Ps 21:9–13). The king’s confident prayer (Ps 21:3–5) and trust in God (Ps 21:8) enable him to receive the divine gifts of vitality, peace, and military success. Ps 21:14 reprises Ps 21:2. When kings ceased in Israel after the sixth century B.C., the Psalm was sung of a future Davidic king. (Psalms, PSALM 21 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Mark presents the Call of Levi.
* [2:13] He taught them: see note on Mk 1:21–45.
* [2:14] As he passed by: see note on Mk 1:16–20. Levi, son of Alphaeus: see note on Mt 9:9. Customs post: such tax collectors paid a fixed sum for the right to collect customs duties within their districts. Since whatever they could collect above this amount constituted their profit, the abuse of extortion was widespread among them. Hence, Jewish customs officials were regarded as sinners (Mk 2:16), outcasts of society, and disgraced along with their families. He got up and followed him: i.e., became a disciple of Jesus.
* [2:15] In his house: cf. Mk 2:1; Mt 9:10. Lk 5:29 clearly calls it Levi’s house.
* [2:16–17] This and the following conflict stories reflect a similar pattern: a statement of fact, a question of protest, and a reply by Jesus.
* [2:17] Do not need a physician: this maxim of Jesus with its implied irony was uttered to silence his adversaries who objected that he ate with tax collectors and sinners (Mk 2:16). Because the scribes and Pharisees were self-righteous, they were not capable of responding to Jesus’ call to repentance and faith in the gospel. (Mark, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
Cindy Costanzo comments that today's scripture from both the Old Testament and the New Testament shares how God calls us throughout our lives in many ways aligned with our gifts and talents.
God called both Saul and Levi - one to be King and the other to be a disciple. God calls all of us into discipleship - are we able to hear the call? God always has great things in mind for us…our journey in life changes based on our ability to open our heart and listen to the quiet stirrings; to open our minds, to trust, and explore what that call may be or mean in our lives.
God’s love for us is not transactional - God knows us intimately and what we are capable of…we all are meant to be ‘lights’ guiding others to the light…God’s light. (Costanzo, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “No physician can avoid the arena of sickness,” by Gregory of Nazianzus (330 - 390 AD).
"When Jesus is attacked for mixing with sinners, and taking as his disciple a despised tax collector, one might ask: What could he possibly gain by doing so? (Luke 15:2) Only the salvation of sinners. To blame Jesus for mingling with sinners would be like blaming a physician for stooping down over suffering and putting up with vile smells in order to heal the sick." (excerpt from ORATION 45, ON HOLY EASTER 26) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 2:13-17 comments that frankly, we all need Jesus! The tax collectors and prostitutes whom Jesus spent time with were not the only sinners he was concerned about. The upright, too—including those who were concerned about the spiritual state of Jesus’ dinner guests—had their own sins and struggles. Whether they knew it or not, Jesus had come to save them, too.
If you’re like most people, you probably have a few appointments on your calendar: with doctors, dentists, therapists, or just get-togethers with friends. How about making an appointment with Jesus, the Divine Physician, perhaps in Confession or Adoration or at Mass. Or maybe you could make a daily appointment to meet him in prayer!
Come to Jesus. Follow him. Let him continue to heal you.
“Here I am, Lord; make me whole!” (Meditation on Mark 2:13-17, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that the first reading begins the search of the people for a king. Saul asks for the seer, a man who knows the future or hidden knowledge. Samuel anoints Saul as the "anointed one”, a messiah , not The Messiah. The call of Levi, the tax collector, considered inherently dishonest people working for the occupying Romans, is not understood by the Pharisees. The were hated but Jesus calls Levi to follow Him and then scandalizes them by sharing table. These people are broken people and He wants to heal them by eating and showing them courtesy and decent treatment. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus reaches out to those who most need him and we should ask ourselves about our actions to reach out.
Father Richard Rohr introduces author Sherri Mitchell who invites us to attend to the stories of our own creation. She is informed by science and the traditions of her Penobscot heritage.
When we are born into this world, our umbilical connection is transferred from our birth mother to the Earth mother. Our umbilical connection with the Earth mother then nurtures and sustains us for the remainder of our human lives.
Though we have migrated a great distance, the radiance of that star dust still resonates within us. It is the essence of something indescribable that is etched upon our souls. It stirs something deep within us. This stirring is a call of recognition, of remembrance. It continuously reminds us that we are infinitely connected to one another, to the natural world, and to a unified divine source. Evidence of our shared origin can be found all around us. Science has finally caught up with what we have always known, that we are all related. We are all made out of the same foundational elements. It is simply the arrangement of those elements that gives distinct form to what we see before us. We share DNA with every other living being. Approximately 98 percent of our DNA is shared with primates, and about 35 percent is shared with plants…. We all come from the same originating source, and we all comprise the same foundational elements. (Rohr, 2026)
We seek guidance from the Spirit to become aware of the need of healing in our environment and strength to be a “physician” in Jesus Way.
References
Costanzo, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-17-2026
Mark, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/2?13
Meditation on Mark 2:13-17. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/17/1481638/
1 Samuel, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/9?1
Psalms, PSALM 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/21?2
Rohr, R. (2026, January 15). In the Beginning: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/in-the-beginning-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Many Sinners Were Sitting with Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
No comments:
Post a Comment