Staying Grounded When Applause Grows

January 22, 2026 – Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012226.cfm)

We have all experienced it in small ways that when you do something good, people notice it. At first, it feels affirming. Then, comparisons begin. Someone could feel threatened because of the good things we do. This is how words change and be twisted. Support from others may quietly turn into tension. And suddenly, what once brought joy to us could now bring stress. Many friendships, families, offices, even church groups quietly suffer from this kind of attitude in us.

However, such situation in us is a good doorway into today’s readings.

In the Gospel of Mark, we see two movements. First, people move toward Jesus. They come with wounds, sickness, confusion, and hope. They are drawn to Him because, in Him, they see life. They take risks just to get near Him, to touch Him, to be healed.

But there is also the movement of Jesus Himself. Despite the crowds, despite His growing popularity, He does not cling to attention or power. He does not use people to build His name. Instead, He remains rooted in who He is before the Father. His popularity does not inflate Him. Rather, it deepens His compassion. And so, he is able to listen well and to bring healing.

This is where the first reading gives us a sharp contrast.

In the First Book of Samuel, Saul also faces popularity, but not his own. The women began to sing, “Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands.” From that moment, Saul’s heart changes. He begins to look at David with suspicion and fear. What Saul loses is not power, but his peace. Insecurity enters and Jealousy grows in his hear. Instead of rejoicing in God’s work, he feels threatened by it.

This tells us now that when our identity is not grounded in God, success, whether ours or others, can quietly poison the heart.

Saul’s problem was not David. It was his fear of losing control and importance. Jesus, on the other hand, never needed to protect His image. He knew who He was. That is why crowds did not corrupt Him, and rejection did not break Him.

This speaks directly to our present struggles. Many of our stresses today come from comparison. Social media magnifies it. Our workplaces could feed it. Even our ministry and service in the Church are not spared. Why? It is because we compare achievements, recognition, followers, and influence. When our sense of worth depends on applause or the approval of others, we become restless, defensive, and easily hurt.

This is how we also develop unhealthy coping like becoming arrogant and bitter, withdrawn from others, or having the need to control others. Like Saul, we could begin to see rivals instead of brothers and sisters. Like the Pharisees earlier in Mark, we could become suspicious rather than compassionate.

Yet, the Gospel quietly teaches another way. People move toward Jesus because He gives life, not pressure. And Jesus moves toward people without needing to own them or dominate them. It is because Jesus’ heart remains free.

This invites us to ask now, “Where do I find my worth? In recognition, or in being known by God? Am I able to rejoice when others are blessed? Or do I quietly feel diminished?”

Jonathan’s role in the first reading is important too. He chooses trust over fear. He protects David instead of competing with him. He reminds us that humility and generosity can interrupt cycles of jealousy and violence.

Indeed, to live like Jesus is to stay grounded by being aware of our limits, grateful for our gifts, and at peace with who we are before God.

And so, I leave you now two takeaways.

First, notice when comparison begins to steal your peace. Pause, pray, and return to God’s gaze and not to people’s opinions and perceptions.

Second, choose one act of generosity today, so, affirm someone else’ success without diminishing yourself. Hinaut pa.