Daily Catholic Lectio
Mon, 16 Sep 2024
XXIV Week in Ordinary Time, Monday
1 Corinthians 11:17-26. Luke 7:1-10
I am because we are
We are familiar with the concept of ‘Ubuntu’, i.e., ‘I am because we are.’ The community leads to wholeness. Both St. Paul’s words to the Corinthians (first reading) and the faith of the Roman centurion (gospel reading) teach us valuable lessons about unity, compassion, and the role we play in one another’s lives.
(1) Unity in worship and life
In the first reading, St. Paul addresses the Corinthians’ divisions during the Lord’s Supper. Instead of gathering in unity, they were divided by social and economic differences, undermining the very essence of the Eucharist. The Lord’s Supper is meant to be a time of unity, where we remember Christ’s sacrifice and affirm that we are one body in Him. Moreover, Paul reminds that the Eucharist was not instituted in the context of the Last Supper, a community meal. The commandment to ‘remember’ was given not to an individual but to the community. Hence, our Eucharistic celebration must build our communion.
(2) Compassion and intercession
The healing narrative in the gospel reading falls under the category of ‘miracle in distance.’ The other gospel writers mention that the Centurion himself came to Jesus; but Luke writes in a different way. A group of Jews come to Jesus to intercede for the Centurion. They appeal not only to the compassion of Jesus, but also to his self-interest. They say that the Centurion has done great things for the Jews. They persuade Jesus to do this miracle as a sign of recompense. The wholeness of the servant becomes possible because of the Centurion, the Jews, and Jesus. Thus, community extends and expands. True community is marked by concern for others, especially those who are vulnerable or in need.
(3) Faith that brings us together
The centurion’s faith was extraordinary. He believed that Jesus could heal his servant with just a word, even from a distance. His faith not only brought healing to his servant but also bridged the gap between Jews and Gentiles, showing that faith in Christ unites people across all divides. Like the centurion, we are invited to have a faith that transcends boundaries and unites us in a common purpose. This faith leads us to act in love, serve one another, and build communities where all can experience the fullness of life in Christ.
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The ‘pilgrims of hope’ understand that community is essential for wholeness. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 200)
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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