Daily Catholic Lectio
Sun, 23 February ‘25
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23. Psalm 103. 1 Corinthians 15:45-49. Luke 6:27-38
A Little Extra
In a TED Talk featuring Joseph Annamkutty Jose, a young man from Palakkad, he delivers an inspiring speech titled “Extra Eye, Extra Ear, Extra Heart.” As a radio presenter, he narrates three personal stories.
The first story recounts his college days. While pursuing his MBA, he failed a subject in his first semester. The failure was overwhelming—his teachers reprimanded him, and his friends distanced themselves. That evening, he went home and told his parents about his failure. His father did not scold him. Instead, he gently placed his hand on Joseph’s shoulder and said, “Come, let’s go out for a while.”
They visited a small roadside eatery outside their town. His father ordered two cups of tea and a masala dosa. Joseph was confused. Why wasn’t his father reacting? Had he misunderstood the situation?
When the food arrived, his father pushed the masala dosa toward him and said,
“Eat, Jose! Failure is never the end.” Then, he calmly sipped his tea.
Tears welled up in Joseph’s eyes. Until that moment, he had not cried for his failure. But in front of his father’s compassion, he broke down.
Days passed, and Joseph retook the exam and succeeded. He also gained new friends from the next batch and was later elected as the College Secretary.
Reflecting on this experience, Joseph concludes his first story: “That day, my father looked at me with an extra eye, listened with an extra ear, and accepted my failure with an extra heart. That is why I could succeed.”
The call to live with ‘a little extra’
This concept of ‘a little extra’ is exactly what today’s scripture reflections invite us to embrace.
In our daily lives, the modern business world constantly tempts us with “extra offers”—extra toothpaste in the morning, extra data for internet services, and even extra “good night” liquid for peaceful sleep. However, these commercial “extras” are never free—they come with hidden costs and conditions.
In contrast, today’s scripture calls us to a different kind of “extra”—one that is free of conditions and rooted in divine generosity.
First reading: David’s extra mercy (cf. 1 Sam 26:2,7-9,12-13,22-23)
The first reading highlights the extraordinary mercy shown by David towards Saul.
Saul, the first king of Israel, had once united the twelve tribes and fought against the Philistines. However, as time passed, his conflicts with the prophet Samuel and his misuse of power led to divine disfavour.
Meanwhile, David had already been chosen by God to be the next king. His success in defeating Goliath and his increasing popularity made Saul extremely jealous. In fear of losing his throne, Saul repeatedly tried to kill David.
At one point, Saul unknowingly falls into David’s hands. The king and his men were sleeping, exhausted from their travels. David’s companion Abishai sees this as the perfect chance and offers to kill Saul on David’s behalf.
However, David refuses: “Do not harm him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and remain guiltless?” Instead of killing Saul, David simply takes Saul’s spear and water jug as proof that he spared his life. The next morning, as Saul searches for his missing belongings, David publicly declares his mercy: “Even though the Lord delivered you into my hands, I did not harm you.” In this act of extraordinary restraint, David exemplifies “a little extra heart.”
Second reading: The extra gift of Christ (cf. 1 Cor 15:45-49)
In the second reading, Paul explains the concept of resurrection by comparing Adam and Christ:
Adam was a living being—but his human nature was limited and perishable. Christ, on the other hand, is life-giving—his divine nature is boundless and eternal.
Paul emphasizes that: Those who cling to their earthly (Adamic) nature will eventually perish. But those who embrace the nature of Christ will receive everlasting life.
Thus, just as David chose mercy over vengeance, Paul invites us to choose divine nature over earthly limitations—a “little extra” perspective on life.
Gospel reading: The extra love of Christ (cf. Lk 6:27-38)
Continuing from last week’s Sermon on the Plain, today’s Gospel presents one of the most challenging teachings of Jesus:
Jesus commands us to go beyond human expectations: Love your enemies; Bless those who curse you; Pray for those who mistreat you; Turn the other cheek; Give without expecting anything in return; Do not judge or condemn; Forgive and you will be forgiven
Jesus provides three motivations for this radical teaching: “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” “The measure you use for others will be used for you.”
Jesus calls us to live a little extra—not merely following human justice, but reflecting divine mercy.
How can we live with “a little extra”?
1. Prioritize others’ well-being over our own
David chose Saul’s safety over his own revenge. Jesus chose the cross over His own life for the sake of humanity. To live with an extra eye, ear, and heart, we must place others’ well-being before our own comfort.
It means forgiving when we could hold grudges. It means choosing mercy over retaliation. It means sacrificing personal gain for the sake of greater good.
2. Embrace suffering willingly
Richard Dawkins, in The Selfish Gene, argues that human DNA is naturally self-serving—programmed to avoid pain and preserve itself.
Yet, today’s scripture shows us that: David, Jesus, and His disciples went against this instinct. They embraced suffering for a greater purpose. Society tells us to find ways to escape pain, but faith teaches us that by embracing suffering, we find true purpose.
3. Set a higher standard for ourselves
David could have justified killing Saul—he had both opportunity and divine permission. But he chose a higher moral ground. Likewise, Jesus calls us to “Be merciful as the Father is merciful.” If God does not change His mercy based on circumstances, we too must not change our moral values based on convenience.
Conclusion: Can we choose “A Little Extra”?
We live in a world where people often only do the bare minimum—where kindness is conditional, and generosity has limits. Yet, Jesus calls us to do more, give more, love more.
As today’s Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 103) declares: “The Lord crowns me with love and compassion.” If God has given us extra love and extra mercy, shouldn’t we also offer a little extra to others?
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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