Daily Catholic Lectio
Tue, 23 Sep ‘25
Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Tuesday
Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Memorial
Ezra 6:7–8, 12a, 14–20; Luke 8:19–21
Spiritual Motherhood and Brotherhood
In today’s Gospel, we witness a simple but profound moment. The family of Jesus—His mother and His relatives—come searching for Him. The crowd is so large that they cannot reach Him. When told about their presence, Jesus answers in a surprising way: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the Word of God and do it.”
Here, Jesus opens a new circle of relationship. There are two kinds of closeness with Jesus: The first is through blood—being His mother, brother, or relative by birth. The second is through the will of God—by listening to the Word and living it out.
Mary, His mother, becomes truly the closest to Jesus not only because she bore Him in her womb, but because she listened and obeyed God’s Word fully: “Let it be done to me according to your word.” By this obedience, she is both mother in the flesh and mother in faith.
This is consoling for us. It tells us that intimacy with Jesus is not reserved only for those related to Him by blood but is open to everyone who chooses to hear God’s Word and put it into practice. Closeness with God is possible for all.
In the first reading, the exiles who returned from Babylon finally complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. The dedication of the Temple is not just a construction achievement; it is a moment of joy and new meaning for the people. The Temple becomes the visible sign that God is once again in their midst, guiding their future, giving them hope after years of exile. Just as the Temple gave the Israelites a new beginning, so our listening and obedience to God’s Word give us fresh meaning and joy in life.
Today the Church also remembers Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887–1968), a Capuchin friar from Italy. He became famous for his deep prayer, spiritual guidance, and the stigmata—the wounds of Christ—that he bore in his body for fifty years. Despite misunderstandings and trials, Padre Pio remained humble and obedient. He spent long hours hearing confessions, bringing people back to God. His life teaches us that holiness is not about privileges or miracles, but about faithfulness—listening to God’s Word, carrying our crosses patiently, and living in love.
Like the people who rejoiced at the Temple’s completion, let us rejoice whenever God builds something new in us. Like Mary and Padre Pio, let us hear the Word of God and live it. Then we too will become true mothers and brothers of Jesus, sharing a deep closeness with Him that nothing can break.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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