Daily Catholic Lectio. Wed, 17 September ’25. Transformation

Daily Catholic Lectio

Wed, 17 September ‘25

Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday

1 Timothy 3:14-16. Luke 7:31-35

Authentic Transformation, Not Superficial Shifts

1. The Church as the Pillar of Truth

Scripture: Paul calls the Church “the household of God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15). Christ revealed in the flesh is the centre of faith and the measure of holiness.

Reflection: The Church is not built on shifting rules or passing trends but on Christ, who is unchanging Truth. We weaken our witness when we tinker with externals but ignore conversion of heart.

Pastoral Application: Do I seek quick fixes in structures, or do I allow Christ’s mystery to transform me from within?

2. The Danger of Shifting Standards

Scripture: Jesus compares His generation to children who complain no tune pleases them—neither John’s austerity nor Jesus’ compassion (Lk 7:31–32). They kept shifting the “rules” so they could avoid true repentance.

Reflection: Often, we too rewrite standards to justify ourselves rather than let the Word challenge us. Like children in the marketplace, we demand God adjust to us, instead of adjusting our hearts to Him.

Pastoral Application: Am I tempted to adjust the “rules” of faith to my comfort, instead of letting the Gospel reshape me?

3. Wisdom Recognized in Changed Lives

Scripture: Jesus concludes: “Wisdom is vindicated by all her children” (Lk 7:35). The proof of authentic faith is not changing norms but transformed lives.

Reflection: True wisdom is not found in inventing new demands but in allowing the Spirit to bear fruit in us—humility, holiness, and mercy.

Pastoral Application: The Church convinces not by multiplying regulations but by embodying Christ’s love. Do our lives make the Gospel credible?

Conclusion

Paul reminds us that Christ is the unshakable foundation of the Church. Jesus warns against the childish game of shifting rules instead of facing conversion. The call today is clear: transformation of self, not manipulation of standards. When we let the Gospel change us, the Church shines as the household of God and the world recognizes in us the children of divine Wisdom.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy