Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 11 September ‘25
Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday
Colossians 3:12-17. Luke 6:27-38
Clothed in Love, Living in Mercy
1. Putting On the Garments of Christ
Scripture: Paul exhorts: “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Col 3:12). Above all, “put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (v. 14).
Church’s Teaching: The Catechism (CCC 1822) teaches that charity is the form of all virtues, shaping every action into holiness.
Reflection: Christian identity is not defined by external garments but by inner clothing of virtue. To “wear Christ” is to let others see His love shining through our words and actions.
Pastoral Application: Each morning, as we dress, we might also ask: Am I putting on patience, kindness, and love today?
2. Love Beyond Limits
Scripture: Jesus commands: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Lk 6:27–28). He calls us to radical love that mirrors the Father’s mercy.
Church’s Teaching: Pope Francis in Fratelli Tutti (no. 66) reminds us that forgiveness and reconciliation are not weakness but the strength of true love.
Reflection: The world’s logic is retaliation, but the Gospel’s logic is mercy. True discipleship begins where natural love ends—when we choose to love the unlovable.
Pastoral Application: Is there someone who has wronged me and whom I struggle to forgive? Jesus asks me to love them not by feelings but by prayer and small acts of mercy.
3. The Measure You Give
Scripture: Jesus concludes: “The measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Lk 6:38). Generosity of heart becomes the measure by which God blesses us.
Church’s Teaching: The Catechism (CCC 2842) teaches that Christian love is possible only by God’s grace; yet we must freely cooperate in giving as we have received.
Reflection: Love, mercy, and forgiveness cannot be rationed; they must flow freely, because we ourselves live on God’s overflowing mercy.
Pastoral Application: If I measure out my love and forgiveness stingily, I will never taste the abundance of God’s mercy. Am I ready to give generously so that God may fill me abundantly?
Conclusion
Paul invites us to be clothed in Christ’s virtues, with love as the garment that binds all. Jesus challenges us to go further: love even enemies, forgive freely, and give without measure. When we live this way, we mirror the heart of the Father, who is kind even to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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