Daily Catholic Lectio
Fri, 3 Oct ‘25
Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Friday
Baruch 1:15–22; Luke 10:13–16
“Whoever Rejects You”
Today’s Gospel comes between two key moments: when Jesus sends out the seventy-two disciples and when they return with joy. In this passage, Jesus turns to the towns that refused to repent—Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. These places had seen His miracles, yet they hardened their hearts.
At first His words sound like curses. But in truth, they are not angry explosions; they are the cry of a heart that longs for change. Jesus had poured out teaching, healing, and love. Yet the people refused to see God in Him. To reject Jesus is to reject the Father who sent Him.
Lessons from the Gospel
Why were these towns condemned?
(a) They did not recognize God’s presence. They were more focused on their own growth and success than on God’s Kingdom.
(b) They misplaced their priorities. They sought honour and comfort, but not the will of God.
(c) They looked with narrow eyes. They saw only human messengers, but not the God who sent them. Indifference is itself rejection. And the refusal to repent closes the door to life.
Lessons from Baruch
In the first reading, Baruch voices the lament of Israel in exile: “We have sinned against the Lord; each of us followed the inclinations of our own hearts.” The people finally admit their guilt, but only after destruction has already come. Their conversion is late.
This shows us something important: conversion must happen in time, not after it is too late. Feeling regret after the damage is done only deepens sorrow. True conversion means recognizing sin, turning back to God, and beginning a new path while there is still time.
As the Book of Lamentations says: “Let us examine our ways and return to the Lord” (Lam 3:40). Conversion requires honesty, courage, and action.
Call for Us Today
The Word of God challenges us: when we hear His message, how do we respond? Do we let it pass by, or do we let it transform us?
Conversion is more than regret. It is: Repentance – admitting we have gone astray. Transformation – allowing His grace to change our hearts. Action – living differently in daily life because of His mercy.
Faith that does not show itself in action becomes empty words. Jesus’ warning to the towns is also a call for us: do not delay; let His Word change us here and now.
Repentance begins with sorrow. Conversion begins with turning. Transformation begins with grace. Action begins with us. May we not be like the unrepentant towns, but like those who hear God’s Word and rise to live differently. May the Spirit give us the courage to repent, convert, and be transformed—so that our lives become a living witness of God’s mercy.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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