Daily Catholic Lectio
Mon, 16 December ‘24
Third Week of Advent – Monday
Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17; Psalm 25; Matthew 21:23-27
The One with Opened Eyes!
What is the wonder we see in the Christmas story? Only those who can see truly perceive Christ.
This is like a scene in a movie. A bank manager and an employee have a disagreement. The employee, with a narrow perspective, criticizes the manager’s actions. Once the manager explains his actions, the employee apologizes. While colleagues lament the employee’s poor day, the employee says, “A 10-minute incident shouldn’t define the other 23 hours and 50 minutes of the day. If 10 minutes are wrong, move on.”
No matter how events unfold around us, how we perceive them determines our response. Let us learn to see things positively and completely.
In today’s first reading, Balaam delivers a prophecy. In ancient times, cursing in the name of God was common. When someone cursed an enemy or foe in God’s name, it was believed that the other would be destroyed. King Balak of Moab sent for Balaam to curse the Israelites. God prevented Balaam from going. Even when Balaam tried to go anyway, God opened the donkey’s mouth. Balaam’s eyes were opened to a new perspective.
Calling himself the one with opened eyes, he says, I see him. I will see him… a star will rise from Jacob.
In the Gospel reading, the chief priests and scribes hesitate to accept Jesus. Just as they hesitated to accept John the Baptist’s authority, they hesitate to accept Jesus’ authority. They cannot accept Jesus as the Messiah, and they cannot accept that his authority comes from heaven.
We cannot perceive God without a change of perspective.
From Word to Life:
Let us strive to change our perspective – to see things more positively and broadly. In the story of the Magi, they see in the child the King of the Jews. Herod, however, sees only a child. Those with a broader perspective become the Magi.
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The ‘pilgrims of hope’ have a positive perspective. (Jubilee Year 2025, bite 273)
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Madurai Archdiocese
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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