Daily Catholic Lectio. Mon, 13 October ’25. Knowing Who You Are

Daily Catholic Lectio

Mon, 13 Oct ‘25

Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, Monday

Romans 1:1–7. Luke 11:29–32

Knowing Who You Are

A person who knows who they are does not need constant validation or signs from others. This truth lies at the heart of today’s readings.

In the Gospel, Jesus faces a generation that refuses to believe unless they see a sign. Some of His contemporaries admired His teaching, others marvelled at His miracles — yet many still demanded proof: “Show us a sign from heaven!” (Luke 11:16).

Their request revealed more than curiosity. It showed doubt, distrust, and disrespect. Doubt — because they could not believe without evidence. Distrust — because they suspected Jesus might be deceiving them. Disrespect — because they failed to see the divine power at work in a humble man from Nazareth.

To such people, Jesus gives a strong answer: “This is an evil generation. It asks for a sign, but no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah.” Their desire for signs was not born of faith, but of disbelief.

The Sign of Jonah and Solomon

Jesus then recalls two figures: Jonah and Solomon — both accepted by people who had far less reason to believe. Jonah was a reluctant prophet who tried to flee from God’s call. After being swallowed by a great fish and spending three days inside it, he obeyed and proclaimed repentance to Nineveh. Miraculously, the pagan city listened and changed. Jesus, the Son of God, would spend three days in the heart of the earth before rising again — yet His own people refused to listen. He tells them: “Now something greater than Jonah is here.”

Similarly, the Queen of Sheba travelled from afar to hear Solomon’s wisdom. She recognized the divine gift in him and praised God. Yet the people who saw and heard Jesus — the very Wisdom of God in human form — rejected Him. Hence Jesus says: “Now something greater than Solomon is here.” Faith, therefore, is not a matter of seeing signs; it is a matter of recognizing the presence of God already among us.

Knowing Our Calling — The Example of Paul

In the first reading (Romans 1:1–7), Paul begins his letter by declaring his own identity clearly and confidently: “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God.” Paul knows who he is and why he exists. His sense of mission comes not from people’s approval but from God’s call. Because of that clarity, he does not need to prove himself. His life itself is the sign.

One who knows their inner calling does not depend on others for affirmation. When we lack that inner grounding, we look for outward signs — popularity, praise, recognition — to reassure ourselves. But when we live from the centre of God’s call, we no longer need to chase them.

Lessons for Our Lives

(a) Faith does not demand signs. As St. Thomas Aquinas said, “Those who ask for signs do not truly believe; those who believe do not need signs.”

(b) Confidence in one’s calling gives peace. Like Paul, let us live our mission with conviction. God’s call is itself the greatest validation.

(c) God’s presence is already among us. The people of Nineveh recognized God’s word through Jonah; the Queen of Sheba through Solomon. Today, we encounter God’s wisdom and mercy through Christ — in His Word, His Church, and His Spirit within us.

The world often teaches us to prove ourselves — to seek approval, applause, and outward signs of success. But Jesus teaches us another way: to know who we are before God, and to act from that quiet certainty.

Jonah preached, Solomon ruled, Paul served — each fulfilled their mission without needing signs from others. Jesus, greater than them all, calls us to the same freedom: to live with inner assurance that God is with us — and that is sign enough.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy