January 16
Saturday, week 1 in Ordinary Time
Feast shown for the year 2027; movable feasts can vary from year to year.
Today in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar is known as a day 'of the feria' or 'ferial day' within the first week of Ordinary Time. The term 'feria' refers to a weekday on which no specific saint or feast is assigned, so the Church returns to the general prayers, readings, and psalms of the season. Ordinary Time is that period outside the major liturgical seasons—Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter—and is marked by a steady reflection on the teachings and public life of Christ.
This day gives the faithful a spiritual pause midway through the ordinary week, inviting a quiet focus on personal prayer and growth in discipleship. The green vestments used at Mass symbolize hope and the ongoing journey of faith. Such days are an integral part of the Church's rhythm, providing the faithful with opportunities to draw closer to God through the familiar pattern of Scripture and liturgy without the particular emphasis of a major solemnity, feast, or saint's memorial.
While there is no special saint commemorated, the 'ferial' days remind us that holiness is also lived in the ordinary routines of daily life. Attending Mass, meditating on the Word of God, and performing works of charity remain at the heart of Christian living, even outside the high points of the Church year.
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Questions about Saturday, week 1 in Ordinary Time (Novus Ordo Missae)
Liturgical texts of January 16, 2027
The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingHe 4, 12-16
Brothers,
the word of God is living,
active and sharper than any double-edged sword;
it penetrates to the point of dividing soul and spirit,
joints and marrow;
it judges the intentions and thoughts of the heart.
No creature escapes his sight;
everything is bare before him, subject to his gaze;
we will have to give account to him.
In Jesus, the Son of God,
we have the supreme high priest,
the one who has passed through the heavens;
let us therefore hold firmly to the confession of our faith.
Indeed, we do not have a high priest
incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses,
but a high priest tested in every way,
in our likeness, except for sin.
Let us therefore draw near with confidence
to the Throne of grace,
to receive mercy
and find grace for timely help.
– The word of the Lord.
Psalm18B (19), 8, 9, 10, 15
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the ordinance of the Lord is trustworthy,
making the simple wise.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
they give joy to the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
it illuminates the eyes.
The fear he inspires is pure,
it stands forever;
the judgments of the Lord are just
and truly fair:
Receive the words of my mouth,
the meditation of my heart;
may they reach you,
Lord, my rock, my redeemer!
GospelMc 2, 13-17
At that time,
Jesus went out again along the sea;
all the crowd came to him,
and he taught them.
As he was passing by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus,
sitting at the tax booth.
He said to him:
“Follow me.”
The man got up and followed him.
As Jesus was at table in Levi’s house,
many tax collectors (that is, collectors of taxes)
and many sinners
came to sit with Jesus and his disciples,
for there were many who were following him.
The scribes of the Pharisee group,
seeing that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors,
said to his disciples:
“How is it! He eats with tax collectors and sinners!”
Jesus, who had heard, said to them:
“It is not the healthy
who need the doctor,
but the sick.
I have not come to call the righteous,
but sinners.”
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org