Daily Liturgy: January 20, 2026 – Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on God’s extraordinary insight into human hearts and the gentle ways He calls us to serve Him. In the first reading from 1 Samuel, the prophet Samuel is sent to anoint the future king of Israel. When he sees Jesse’s sons, he is impressed by their outward appearances, but the Lord reminds him, “The Lord looks at the heart.” Samuel anoints David, the youngest son, a humble shepherd, chosen not for what the world sees but for what God perceives within. This reading teaches that God often works through the seemingly ordinary, calling forth greatness in ways that defy human expectation. The psalm echoes this theme, celebrating the faithfulness and guidance God grants to His chosen servants, reminding us that God’s perspective is always higher, wiser, and deeper than our own.

The Gospel from Mark presents a similar lesson in divine discernment. Jesus and His disciples walk through grain fields on the Sabbath, and the disciples pluck heads of grain to eat. The Pharisees question this action, seeing only the letter of the law. Jesus responds that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” and declares that He, the Son of Man, is “Lord even of the Sabbath.” Here, Jesus emphasizes that God’s commandments and sacred observances are meant to serve human well-being, not to burden or restrict. God values mercy and understanding over rigid adherence to external rules, and He invites us to participate in that wisdom.

Reflecting on both readings together, we see a clear call to cultivate a heart attuned to God. Like David, we are often called in ways that may seem unexpected, through moments of quiet service and humble action. Like Jesus’ teaching on the Sabbath, our observance of faith is not measured by external appearances or strict rule-following alone but by the depth of love, compassion, and mercy we bring to our daily lives. Today invites us to examine our hearts: are our thoughts and actions aligned with God’s vision, or are we too focused on what is outwardly visible to others? The readings encourage us to respond with openness, humility, and faithful love, trusting that God knows our hearts better than we do ourselves.

In prayer today, let us ask for the grace to see as God sees, to act with a heart centered on mercy, and to embrace the call He places on our lives, however ordinary it may seem. Lord of mercy and compassion, teach us to look with Your eyes, not with our own limited judgment. Help us embrace Your will with hearts open to Your Spirit. Just as You chose David in his humility, choose us in our ordinariness. Enable us to honor Your law not merely by strict observance, but by living it with love and mercy. May our hearts be attuned to Your voice, and may our lives reflect Your goodness in every moment. Amen.

As we move through our day, we can carry this reflection into our actions, seeking to embody God’s mercy and understanding in our interactions with others. Let us remember that true faith manifests in the choices of our hearts, in the small acts of service, and in the quiet obedience to God’s will. By allowing God to shape our hearts, we participate in the work of His kingdom, growing in holiness through the ordinary moments of our lives.