Daily Catholic Lectio. Tue, 23 Apr 2024. Seeing the great things

Daily Catholic Lectio

Tue, 23 April 2024

Fourth Week of Easter – Tuesday

Acts 11:19-26. John 10:22-30

Seeing the great things

The Holy Bible bears witness to the fact that wisdom consists in seeing the great in the little. The Magi from the East, upon seeing the baby in the manger, prostrated before him, for they saw in him the King of Jews.

The gospel reading presents us with a dialogue between Jesus and the Jews in Jerusalem during the time of the Feast of Dedication. The Jews ask Jesus, ““How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus knew that this question emerged not on account of their faith search but because of their curiosity.

Jesus, without answering their question directly, responds, “The Father and I are one.” He takes them to a higher level of understanding of Messiahship.

We have three images of Jesus in the gospel reading: (a) Jesus as a pilgrim; (b) Jesus as the Messiah; and (c) Jesus as the Son of God.

The Feast of the Dedication of the Temple was not a feast day of obligation; pilgrimage was optional. However, Jesus travels to Jerusalem as a pilgrim. The people of Jerusalem did not realize that in Jesus they had the replacement of the Temple. The Jews widen their eyes and see in Jesus, with doubt, a Messiah in the making. But Jesus gives them a totally new perspective: he as the Son of God—he calls God the Father and himself the Son of the Father.

Unless Jesus reveals himself, we can’t come to understand him. Jesus stands there in front of us today: as a pilgrim, as the Messiah, and as the Son of God. Wisdom is demanded of us to see the great things in the little.

How do we obtain this wisdom? Jesus himself gives us answers: (a) Through faith in him; (b) By being a sheep that listens to his voice; and (c) By following him.

In the first reading, Luke narrates the expansion of God’s church despite the persecutions and tribulations. The Church moves towards Antioch, where the believers are to be called Christians. The key character of the reading is Barnabas.

Luke records four characteristics of Barnabas: (a) Barnabas rejoiced when he saw the grace of God at work; (b) He encouraged the believers; (c) He was a good man; and (d) He introduced Saul (Paul) to his mission. Barnabas becomes a kind of vocation promoter for Saul (Paul).

These characteristics of Barnabas emerge from his faith vision. Barnabas is a model for us to see the great things in the little.

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“When we look at the realities of the world today, we yield to despair and frustration. Like Job, we ask, ‘Where then is my hope? Who will see my hope?’ (Job 17:15). But hope is ‘essential’ for human beings to flourish. Think for a moment. How can we live without hope? What would our days be like? Hope is the salt of our daily lives,” says Pope Francis. (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 79)

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy