Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 16 January ‘25
First Week in Ordinary Time – Thursday
Hebrews 3:7-14. Psalm 95. Mark 1:40-45
Do not tell anyone!
In today’s Gospel, we see Jesus healing a man with leprosy and then sternly warning him, “Say nothing to anyone.” This pattern—often called the “messianic secret” in the Gospel of Mark—may puzzle us. Why does Jesus ask for silence after performing a miracle? Let us reflect on three key reasons:
(a) God-experience is personal
When Jesus heals the man with leprosy, it is a deeply personal encounter between the suffering individual and the compassionate Lord. Sometimes we want to share our God-experience right away. Yet Jesus’ instruction reminds us that certain moments with God are intimate, meant first for strengthening our faith and deepening our relationship with Him. Before broadcasting these experiences, we might pause, savour His mercy, and let our hearts fully absorb His love.
(b) There is always a gap between our experience and expression
We often struggle to put into words the profound movements of God’s grace in our lives. Our human language can never completely capture the mystery of divine love. Jesus, aware of this limitation, asks for silence to prevent misunderstandings and sensationalism. Even the man healed of leprosy could not contain his excitement; he spread the news anyway, causing the crowds to flock to Jesus more for wonders than for the deeper message of salvation. This gap between experience and expression calls us to humility – recognizing that God’s works in us can transcend our ability to explain.
(c) Avoiding familiarity that obstructs Jesus’ mission
Lastly, Jesus knew that too much publicity at this stage would hinder His public ministry. Familiarity often breeds misunderstanding, and rampant fame could reduce Jesus to a miracle-worker or celebrity figure instead of revealing Him as the Suffering Messiah. The paradox in this passage is striking: the leprosy-afflicted man, once isolated and cut off from society, is now free to rejoin the community, while Jesus—due to the publicity—ends up staying in “deserted places.” The One who came to embrace the outcast momentarily becomes an outcast Himself.
Living in the present
The first reading (cf. Hebrews 3:7–14) urges us: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Heb 3:7). This reminds us that our spiritual journey unfolds in the “now.” Dwelling too much on our past or anxiously chasing future dreams can harden our hearts to God’s immediate promptings. We are invited to trust that God’s grace is available at every moment. Our walk with the Lord is about responding today, making small decisions of faith and love in the present. When we do so, we discover a life that is not only obedient to God’s Word but also alive with His presence.
As we reflect on the “messianic secret,” let us draw near to Jesus with reverent silence, allowing our personal experiences of His mercy to shape us. May we be cautious in how we communicate these sacred encounters, mindful of the mystery at work. And, above all, let us recognize the importance of the present moment—where God meets us, speaks to us, and calls us to a more profound faith, hope, and love.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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