Daily Catholic Lectio
Wed, 10 July 2024
Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time – Wednesday
Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12. Matthew 10:1-7
Empowering and sending
A leader who understands that ‘no one makes it alone,’ and ‘we have not enough resources and time to do everything’ shares his work with his co-workers. He empowers them with skills and involves them in the work.
Three things happen in the gospel reading of the day: (a) Jesus gives his disciples authority to cast out demons and to heal diseases; (b) The names of the Twelve are given – it symbolises their identity and status; and (c) Jesus sharpens their vision by sending them to the lost sheep of Israel. Thus, ‘being called’ is complemented by ‘being sent.’
Through our baptism, we too become the disciples of Jesus. We have authority over evil. God has made us unique. God has defined the purpose of our lives.
A few questions emerge from the reading:
How do we proclaim the message of the Kingdom today? Is our message accompanied by work? Do we have the courage to stand against evil? Do we celebrate the presence of others in our ministry? We need to begin with what is known and move towards what is unknown.
In the first reading, the Lord God says to the people of Israel through Hosea, “Sow justice, and reap fruits of love.” Justice is giving someone their due. When we do so in a relationship, we are able to reap the fruits of love.
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The pilgrims of hope empower the powerless (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 144).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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