Daily Catholic Lectio. Tue, 16 Sep ‘25. Shepherding and Serving

Daily Catholic Lectio

Tue, 16 September ‘25

Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday

Saints Cornelius, Cyprian – Memorial

1 Timothy 3:1-13. Luke 7:11-17

Shepherding and Serving

1. The Dignity and Responsibility of Service

Scripture: Paul outlines the qualities of bishops and deacons: blameless character, temperance, faithfulness, and integrity (1 Tim 3:1–13). Ministry is not about prestige but about witness.

Church’s Teaching: Pastores Gregis (no. 13) emphasizes that the bishop must be a man of communion, integrity, and example for the flock.

Reflection: Leadership in the Church is never self-promotion but stewardship of God’s household. True authority is credibility rooted in character.

Pastoral Application: Each of us entrusted with responsibility—whether bishop, priest, deacon, or lay leader—must ask: does my life make the Gospel visible?

2. The Compassion of Christ for His People

Scripture: In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus encounters a widow whose only son has died. Moved with compassion, He says: “Do not weep” and raises the young man (Lk 7:13–15). This is the heart of His mission: to turn mourning into joy.

Church’s Teaching: The Catechism (CCC 2448) teaches that Christ identifies Himself especially with the poor, the suffering, and the grieving.

Reflection: Ministry without compassion is hollow. Authority without mercy wounds rather than heals. Jesus shows that the shepherd’s first duty is to “be moved with pity.”

Pastoral Application: Do I, as a leader, listen to the cries of the people entrusted to me? Do I allow their pain to shape my pastoral response, as Christ did?

3. Leadership that Gives Life

Scripture: The people, witnessing the miracle, exclaim: “God has visited His people!” (Lk 7:16). True leadership makes God’s presence tangible.

Church’s Teaching: Lumen Gentium (no. 27) describes bishops as visible signs of Christ the Shepherd in their local Churches.

Reflection: When pastoral leadership is marked by holiness and compassion, the faithful experience not just human governance but God’s visitation.

Pastoral Application: Each pastoral decision is an opportunity: will people encounter bureaucracy, or will they sense God’s nearness through us?

Note on Saints Cornelius and Cyprian

Today we honour Pope Cornelius and Bishop Cyprian of Carthage, 3rd-century martyrs and shepherds. Cornelius defended the Church’s mercy in readmitting repentant sinners after persecution, while Cyprian upheld unity and pastoral care in times of crisis. Both gave their lives for Christ and His flock. Their witness reminds us that pastoral ministry demands both fidelity to truth and compassion for the weak, unity in the face of division, and courage in times of trial.

Conclusion

Paul reminds us that ministry requires integrity of life; the Gospel reveals that ministry must be marked by compassion. Saints Cornelius and Cyprian embody both: leaders who shepherded with courage, defended unity, and showed mercy. As we reflect today, let us ask for their intercession—that our leadership too may be graced with integrity, compassion, and courage, so that the people of God may truly say: “God has visited His people.”