Daily Catholic Lectio
Wed, 27 August ‘25
Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday
Saint Monica – Memorial
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13. Matthew 23:27-32
Living the Word, Not Just Wearing a Mask
1. The Witness of Hard Work and Integrity
Scripture: Paul recalls how he and his companions “worked night and day” so as not to burden anyone, while proclaiming the Gospel (1 Thess 2:9). He stresses that their conduct was holy, righteous, and blameless.
Church’s Teaching: Evangelii Gaudium (no. 259) teaches that authenticity in life makes the Gospel credible.
Pastoral Application: Our Christian witness must be seen in the way we work, speak, and live daily life. Honest labour, responsible family life, and faithful commitments become silent but powerful homilies.
2. Receiving the Word as God’s Word
Scripture: Paul rejoices that the Thessalonians received his preaching “not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s Word” (1 Thess 2:13), which is at work in believers.
Church’s Teaching: Dei Verbum (no. 21) declares that Scripture is the soul of theology and the nourishment of Christian life.
Pastoral Application: We must welcome God’s Word not merely as advice or tradition but as life-changing truth. When we pray with Scripture, it transforms us and equips us to face trials with faith and hope.
3. Hypocrisy vs. Inner Conversion
Scripture: Jesus condemns the Pharisees as “whitewashed tombs”—outwardly beautiful but inwardly full of corruption (Matt 23:27). Their piety masked hypocrisy.
Church’s Teaching: The Catechism (CCC 2468) states that truthfulness is the virtue that makes us live honestly before God and others.
Pastoral Application: It is easy to appear holy outwardly but remain unchanged inwardly. Christ calls us to inner conversion—mercy, humility, justice—so that our outward life reflects our inner truth.
A Note on Saint Monica (332–387)
Today we remember Saint Monica, mother of Saint Augustine. She persevered with tears and prayers for her son’s conversion until God answered. She is a model of patient faith, faithful love, and persistent prayer. Like Monica, we are called to trust that God’s Word is at work in those we pray for, even when results seem delayed.
In sum, Today’s readings remind us that the Gospel must be lived with integrity, as Paul worked tirelessly and blamelessly among the Thessalonians. God’s Word is not human advice but living truth that transforms those who receive it with faith. Jesus warns us against hypocrisy—being outwardly righteous but inwardly far from God. Saint Monica shows the power of patient prayer and steadfast love that brings conversion. True discipleship means inner conversion, authentic witness, and persevering faith.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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