January 13, Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Daily readings: 1 Samuel 9: 17–19, 10:1, Mark 2:13–17
Both the readings of today present the narratives of Saul and Levi. God chooses Saul as the first king of Israel, while Jesus chooses Levi to become an apostle. The divine call comes not only at an unexpected time but also because God’s choice is always something amazing. The text of the first reading introduces Saul, the man destined to be crowned as the first monarch of Israel. Saul's personality is impressive. He is young, handsome and taller than many other people.
When Saul is in search of his father’s lost donkey, God is in search of the first shepherd of Israel. He is the first one to receive divine anointing and approval. A human king chosen by God would rule in the place of the divine King. Saul was not successful in his mission of finding the lost donkey, but God was successful in finding and anointing Saul as a king.
We read in the Book of Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord”. Jesus visits the tax collector’s office, where he finds Levi. It is an unlikely place to recruit a person for his future ministry. But that is the ministry of Jesus. That is the purpose of his incarnation: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners” (Mark 2:17).
Jesus’ mission is the redemption and salvation of sinners. Jesus places great trust in this lost sinner. Of course, Jesus’ action scandalized the self-righteous Pharisees. The call of Levi gives us all great courage to know that, however sinful we are, we have a place in the heart and scheme of Jesus. Therefore, when Jesus calls us, we need to realize its importance, respond to his invitation, and get up to follow him immediately.
The Doctor of the Church, St. Hilary of Poiters, was of pagan origin. Once he met his God and chose to follow him, God made him an eloquent defender of Christianity against Arian Heresy. He was known as the “Hammer of the Arians”. His treatise on the Holy Trinity is noteworthy.
Call to Action for Catholic Living: When God or Jesus summons us for a particular mission, we are all expected to respond affirmatively. The response and the intensity could be different. How do I respond to God’s call in my life?
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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