Because I’ve been designated, elected, or promoted to key positions, I’ve had  many opportunities of mingling with people in high posts and famous personalities. But I find it equally pleasant to be with subordinates no matter what level they are. Those moments allow me to get to know them better.

Once, I went out with my property management team for a facial treatment. We enjoyed our time together,  listening to everyone’s stories, especially those who had a facial for the first time. Afterwards, we ate out. One of the waiters asked, “Are you OK to share a table with the driver and staff?” I joyfully answered, “Of course!”

We are all equal in the eyes of God, each created in His image and likeness. We may be leaders and executives, but such are roles we play to lead an organization. They shouldn’t be an excuse to distance ourselves from people of lower designation. Real leaders stay connected. Just like Jesus did.  

Maria Paz Jimenez-Balayan (pazjbalayan@moward.com.ph)

reflect

“He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,and has lifted up the lowly.” (The Magnificat)

Lord, before You, none of us are great, powerful, or mighty. We bow before Your majesty.

Saint Anthony, abbot, pray for us.

The people insist on having a king, even when Samuel warns them of the hardships they will endure at the hands of one. The Lord tells Samuel to relent and allow the people to have their king. Samuel is disgusted at the people of Israel’s lack of faith, but he will obey God and anoint a king.

⁴ All the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah ⁵ and said to him, “Now that you are old, and your sons do not follow your example, appoint a king over us, as other nations have, to judge us.” ⁶ Samuel was displeased when they asked for a king to judge them. He prayed to the Lord, however, ⁷ who said in answer: “Grant the people’s every request. It is not you they reject, they are rejecting me as their king. ¹⁰ Samuel delivered the message of the Lord in full to those who were asking him for a king. ¹¹ He told them: “The rights of the king who will rule you will be as follows: He will take your sons and assign them to his chariots and horses, and they will run before his chariot. ¹² He will also appoint from among them his commanders of groups of a thousand and of a hundred soldiers. He will set them to do his plowing and his harvesting, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. ¹³ He will use your daughters as ointment makers, as cooks, and as bakers. ¹⁴ He will take the best of your fields, vineyards, and olive groves, and give them to his officials. ¹⁵ He will tithe your crops and your vineyards, and give the revenue to his eunuchs and his slaves. ¹⁶ He will take your male and female servants, as well as your best oxen and your asses, and use them to do his work. ¹⁷ He will tithe your flocks and you yourselves will become his slaves. ¹⁸ When this takes place, you will complain against the king whom you have chosen, but on that day the Lord will not answer you.” ¹⁹ The people, however, refused to listen to Samuel’s warning and said, “Not so! There must be a king over us. ²⁰ We, too, must be like other nations with a king to rule us and to lead us in warfare and fight our battles.” ²¹ When Samuel had listened to all the people had to say, he repeated it to the Lord, ²² who then said to him, “Grant their request and appoint a king to rule them.”

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 89:16-17, 18-19

R: Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

¹⁶ Blessed the people who know the joyful shout; in the light of your countenance, O Lord, they walk. ¹⁷ At your name they rejoice all the day, and through your justice they are exalted. (R) 18 For you are the splendor of their strength, and by your favor our horn is exalted. 19 For to the Lord belongs our shield, and to the Holy One of Israel, our king. (R)

Gospel | Mark 2:1-12

Jesus forgiving the sins of people is the bone of contention among the leaders of the Jews. But Jesus will never take a step backward. He knows what the Father has asked Him to do, and He is obedient to Him without fail. Let us all seek to have the same certainty about God’s call in our lives. May we act with the sureness of Spirit, knowing we are simply doing what God wants us to do.

Gospel Acclamation

A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.

¹ When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. ² Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. ³ They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. ⁴ Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” ⁶ Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, ⁷ “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” ⁸ Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? ⁹ Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat, and walk’? ¹⁰ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” ¹¹ he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” ¹² He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

Reflect

“The more humble and obedient to God a man is, the more wise and at peace he will be in all that he does.” (St. Thomas à Kempis)

Read the Bible in one year! Read MARK 13 - 16 today.

After gaining reputation as a healer, Jesus now faces criticism from the Pharisees because of His choice to dine with tax collectors and sinners. While other teachers and even healers existed during His time, it was unheard of—especially for a Jew—to share a meal with those considered impure.

In Jewish purity laws, separation was essential. Holy things were to remain distinct from what was deemed unclean. This applied to people too. The lepers, the sick, and others considered unclean were isolated, and anyone who touched them was likewise regarded as unclean. This extended to those seen as sinners, such as pagans and tax collectors.

So, when Jesus and His disciples joined Levi and other sinners at the table, the Pharisees were scandalized. In their culture, sharing a meal symbolized deep friendship. For a known teacher like Jesus, this act seemed unacceptable. But while the Pharisees saw scandal, Jesus revealed God’s unconditional love. Through His presence, He didn’t just speak of love—He made people feel it.

Even today, some behave like the Pharisees—only associating with those they deem worthy, excluding others they judge as lesser or sinful. Sometimes this happens even within families or religious communities.

I remember my parents’ simple but powerful lesson on companionship: greet everyone with kindness, respect elders, and show compassion even to strangers. 

These taught me that everyone deserves dignity and love.

Jesus did not dine with sinners to join in their wrongdoing but to offer them a chance to change—through love, not judgment. 

Fr. Franz Dizon

reflection questions

How do you treat others, especially strangers? Do you see anyone as “less” than you? What is Jesus asking of you as His follower?

Though I am a sinner, You never treated me as an outsider, Lord. At the Eucharistic table, You continue to welcome me. May I do the same for others. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _____________________________________________