Daily Catholic Lectio. Sun, 20 April ‘25. He saw and believed!

Daily Catholic Lectio

Sun, 20 April ‘25

Easter Sunday

Acts 10:34a, 37-43. Colossians 3:1-4. John 20:1-9

He saw and believed!

In a quiet town, there lived an old painter named Elias. In his youth, he was renowned for his sacred art—especially his painting of the Risen Christ, which hung in the parish church above the altar. The painting was full of light: Christ emerging from the tomb with pierced hands raised, eyes filled with mercy and joy.

It was said that Elias spent years praying before he painted it. And once it was finished, he never painted again.

One Easter morning, the villagers arrived at Mass to find something shocking: the painting was missing. The golden frame remained on the wall, but it was empty.

Whispers filled the church. “Has it been stolen?” “Was it removed for restoration?” “Why today, of all days?”

But when the priest began his homily, he smiled gently and said:

“Yes, the painting is gone. Elias removed it himself before he died this week. He left a note that said:

‘After all these years, I have come to believe: the Risen Christ no longer belongs on a wall. He is not here. He is out there—among the living. Look for Him not in paint, but in people. Not in frames, but in faith.’”

The congregation was silent.

Then, one by one, people began to see differently. A widow comforting a child. A young man helping the elderly to sit. A choir singing not with perfection, but with joy. And slowly, they began to understand.

The frame was empty—but their hearts were full.

Living the Resurrection: Witness, Wonder, and New Life

The Resurrection is not only a mystery to celebrate—it is a reality to live. These readings help us to respond to Easter through proclamation, transformation, and personal encounter.

1. Witness to the Risen One

“We are witnesses… God raised him on the third day.”

Peter proclaims the heart of the Gospel: Jesus, who was crucified, is now risen—and this is not theory, but something the apostles saw, touched, and lived. The Resurrection compels mission. We are called not only to rejoice but to witness.

Do I witness to Christ in my life—with courage, clarity, and love?

2. Seek the Things That Are Above

“You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Saint Paul reminds us that Baptism unites us with the death and Resurrection of Christ. If He is risen, we must live as Easter people—letting go of sin, fear, and earthly attachments, and setting our hearts on what is eternal.

Does my life reflect the joy, peace, and freedom of someone who has risen with Christ?

3. He Saw and Believed

“Then the other disciple… saw and believed.”

John arrives at the tomb, sees the empty burial cloths, and believes. He doesn’t see the Risen Christ yet—but the absence becomes a sign of presence. Faith often begins in silence, absence, or mystery—when we dare to believe before we fully understand.

Do I believe in the Risen Lord even when I don’t see clearly? Am I open to faith that grows through wonder and trust?

A Final Word

Easter is more than a day—it is a new way of living.

Let us:

Proclaim the Risen Christ like Peter,

Live our hidden life in God like Paul,

and believe with wonder like the beloved disciple John.

Christ is Risen. He is truly Risen. Alleluia!

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy