Daily Catholic Lectio
Fri, 22 August ‘25
Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time, Friday
Queenship of the BVM, Memorial
Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22. Matthew 22:34-40
A Commandment Equal to It
1. Love of God and Love of Neighbour — Two but One
Scripture: Jesus unites two commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God” (Deut 6:5) and “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Lev 19:18). He declares that the second is “like” the first (Matt 22:39). True love cannot be divided: to love God is to love neighbour, and to love neighbour rightly is to love God.
Church’s Teaching: Deus Caritas Est (Pope Benedict XVI) reminds us that love of God and neighbour are inseparable—they form one commandment in two dimensions.
Pastoral Application: Sometimes we think we love God but neglect our neighbour, or we love neighbour only as a path to God. Jesus teaches that both loves are equal and complete in themselves. Do I allow love for others to flow freely from my love of God?
2. Ruth’s Fidelity — Neighbour-Love that Reveals God
Scripture: Ruth, a Moabite, clings to Naomi: “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). By choosing loyalty and presence, Ruth encounters the God of Israel. Her simple fidelity transforms her destiny and prepares the lineage of David and Christ.
Church’s Teaching: Vatican II (Lumen Gentium 16) acknowledges that God’s saving will reaches all peoples; Ruth is a living witness of God’s inclusive plan.
Pastoral Application: Neighbour-love is not always heroic—it may be quiet companionship, fidelity, and solidarity, like Ruth’s. Today, staying with those who suffer, even wordlessly, becomes a Gospel act.
3. Mary the Queen — Focused, Firm, and Fruitful
Scripture & Feast: Today we celebrate Mary as Queen, following her Assumption. She was crowned Queen because she first said: “I am the handmaid of the Lord” (Lk 1:38). Her humility became her glory.
Church’s Teaching: Pius XII in Ad Caeli Reginam teaches that Mary is Queen because of her unique participation in Christ’s mission as Mother of the King.
Pastoral Application: Mary teaches us how to be “royal”: Focused: She kept God’s will as her centre. Firm: Once she chose, she walked steadily in faith. Fruitful: She became a blessing for Elizabeth, the disciples, and the whole Church. We too are called to share this “royalty” by focusing on God’s will, standing firm in faith, and being a blessing to others.
Conclusion
The Gospel binds love of God and neighbour into one commandment; Ruth embodies it through fidelity; Mary reigns as Queen because she lived it in fullness. To be “royal” in God’s eyes is not to rule with power but to love with focus, firmness, and fruitfulness.
In sum, Jesus teaches that love of God and love of neighbour are inseparable—they are one great commandment. Ruth shows this truth by her fidelity to Naomi, choosing both her people and her God. Today we honour Mary as Queen, lifted up because she first humbled herself as God’s servant. Her focus on God’s will, her firmness in faith, and her fruitfulness in love make her the model of true royalty for us.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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