Daily Catholic Lectio
Wed, 14 August 2024
Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time – Wednesday
Ezekiel 9:1-7. 10:18-22. Matthew 18:15-20
Tell the church
The gospel reading is taken from Matthew’s ‘community discourse.’ In the gospels, the word ‘ekklesia’ (‘church’) is found here alone. The word comes from the Greek verb ‘kaleo’ (= ‘to call’). The church is ‘called’ to be.
Jesus describes the threefold role of the church as follows:
(a) The church must initiate reconciliation between the hurting brother and the hurt one. The reconciliation begins as a one-to-one process and ends with the involvement of the community. The erring other must always be won over.
(b) The church is the catalyst. Whatever is done or performed here on earth reflects in heaven.
(c) The church brings the presence of God amidst us.
What is our understanding of the church today? The church is not a building or an edifice; nor is it a stagnant group of individuals; it is a community of believers who treat each other with mutual respect and love. The church defines our character, identity, and mission.
Today we commemorate Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, who gave up his life in the concentration camp for his fellow friend. This act demands courage, determination, and sacrifice.
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Pilgrims of hope undertake a community pilgrimage celebrating the presence of each other . (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 173).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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