Daily Catholic Lectio
Saturday, 27 Sep ‘25
Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday
Saint Vincent de Paul, Memorial
Zechariah 2:1–5, 10–11a; Luke 9:43b–45
The Other Side of Wonder
Today’s Gospel is very brief, but it carries a profound message. Jesus makes His second prediction of His Passion: “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into human hands.” Luke records not only Jesus’ words, but also the disciples’ reaction: “They did not understand what He said… and they were afraid to ask Him.”
Just before this, Jesus had healed a boy possessed by a demon. The crowd, amazed at the miracle, was full of wonder and admiration. The disciples must have felt proud to belong to such a powerful Master. It is in that very moment of popular excitement that Jesus interrupts and redirects their thoughts: He speaks about rejection, betrayal, and death.
This passage highlights three movements:
(a) From wonder to hatred – The same crowd that marvels at Jesus today will soon shout for His crucifixion. This paradox is not far from our own lives. When God acts in ways that suit us, we rejoice; but when His plan differs from our desires, we resist, complain, or even try to push Him away. The Gospel reminds us that admiration must lead to faith, not fade into rejection.
(b) Jesus’ equanimity and balance – Jesus does not get carried away by the crowd’s praise, nor is He shaken by the shadow of His coming suffering. He remains steady, focused on His mission. His calm teaches us to keep our balance—neither enslaved by applause nor crushed by opposition. True discipleship means learning to stand firm in God’s plan, even when the waves of life rise around us.
(c) The disciples’ hesitation – Luke notes that the disciples did not understand, and they were afraid to ask. Their silence reflects confusion and fear. Perhaps they wondered: if Jesus is to be handed over to men, could they themselves be among the betrayers? Their hesitation is a mirror of our own struggles—when God’s ways puzzle us, we often prefer silence to seeking clarity. Yet faith grows only when we dare to face the hard questions.
In the first reading, the prophet Zechariah delivers God’s promise: “See, I am coming to dwell among you.” God’s presence is both consoling and challenging. He is close to us—yet we often try to push Him out when His nearness unsettles us. Still, He continues to come, not to destroy, but to give joy and peace.
Today we also celebrate Saint Vincent de Paul (1581–1660), priest and founder, known as the “Apostle of Charity.” He dedicated his life to serving the poor, the sick, and the abandoned, and he founded the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) and the Daughters of Charity. His secret was the same equanimity we see in Christ: he served with humility, calmness, and unwavering trust in God’s presence, no matter the hardships.
The Gospel invites us to move beyond wonder into faith, to seek balance as Jesus did, and to face our confusions with courage. Let us welcome the God who chooses to dwell among us. And let us follow the path of St. Vincent de Paul, living a life of love that remains steady, both in the applause of the crowd and in the silence of the cross.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
Leave a comment