Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 9 January ‘25
Thursday after the Epiphany
1 John 4:19–5:4; Psalm 72; Luke 4:14–22
Comfort of Bearing Burdens!
In today’s first reading, St. John, while reflecting on the commandment of love and other commandments, writes: “His commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world—our faith.”
A story is told of a young boy who carried his paralyzed brother to the playground every day. One day, an onlooker asked him, “Aren’t you tired of carrying this heavy burden every day?” The boy replied, “He’s not a burden; he’s my brother.”
Love transforms burdens into blessings. In love, burdens become joys.
The Gospel: Jesus’ Mission of Comfort and Liberation
In the Gospel reading, we hear St. Luke’s account of the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. There are three key aspects worth noting here:
(a) Jesus begins His mission in Nazareth: Jesus starts His public ministry in His hometown, a place where He was known and familiar. His mission begins from familiarity and moves outward to places yet to know Him. In Nazareth He realigns His roots. It is here that He will be accepted by some and rejected by others.
(b) Jesus’ ministry is God-centred: In the synagogue, surrounded by people, Jesus reads from the Scriptures, placing God at the centre of His mission. From the very start, Jesus makes it clear that the heart of the Kingdom of God is ‘God.’
(c) Jesus as Rabbi and liberator: Jesus, a carpenter, steps forward as a Rabbi (teacher) to read, proclaim, and explain God’s Word. His declaration – “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” – astonishes both His audience and us.
A Shoulder to Bear Burdens
The people of Nazareth marvel, saying, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” They rejoice, feeling they have found someone who will bear their burdens. Jesus, from a humble background, carries a profound sense of responsibility and mission.
Jesus does not simply recite Isaiah’s words. He claims them as His own mission statement. His words and actions flow from this vision: Good News to the poor, Liberation for captives and the oppressed, Sight to the blind, and Proclamation of the Lord’s year of favour.
What was once considered a burden by the political and religious leaders of His time, Jesus transforms into comfort.
Pastoral Reflection
Jesus assures us that there is always a shoulder to help us carry the burdens of life. He calls us to find comfort in His presence and to be willing to carry the burdens of others.
Let us, like Jesus, be rooted in God’s Spirit and spread the branches of His love and liberation to all those we encounter. May we respond to this call with hearts open to serve and to transform burdens into blessings for one another.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Messenger of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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