Daily Catholic Lectio
Mon, 20 Oct ‘25
Twenty-Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, Monday
Romans 4:20–25. Luke 12:13–21
Inner Light
A man once came to Jesus with what seemed like a genuine family problem. “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
This was not unusual in Palestine. Rabbis were often asked to settle disputes about property. But this man did not realize that Jesus was not just another rabbi — He was the One who had no place to lay His head!
Jesus replies, “Who appointed Me as your judge or divider?” With this question, He exposes the real issue — not the property, but the greed behind the request.
Immediately, Jesus tells a parable — the story of the rich fool — a man who had everything, except inner light. Through this story, Jesus teaches three important truths.
1. Avoid every form of greed
Greed hides in the soul like a shadow that refuses to leave. It is not just a desire for more money; it is the belief that life is measured by possessions.
The rich man in the parable is not evil; he is successful, hardworking, and a good planner. His land produces abundantly. He manages his wealth wisely — but his heart is darkened by self-centredness.
He thinks only of himself: “My barns, my grain, my goods, my soul.” He forgets that the earth that produced his crop belonged to God. He forgets that wealth cannot buy what matters most — life itself. He forgets the hungry neighbours whose empty stomachs were greater barns than his storehouses. His mistake was not in having wealth, but in allowing wealth to have him.
2. Remember: Life is God’s gift, not our achievement
The man says to himself, “You have plenty stored up. Eat, drink, and be merry.” But that very night, God calls him a fool: “This very night your life will be demanded from you. And the things you have prepared — whose will they be?”
It is one of the most piercing questions in Scripture: “Whose will they be?” All that we store up — fame, possessions, power, titles — are temporary. When the heart clings to them, it forgets that life itself is borrowed breath. As Saint Paul reminds us in the first reading, Abraham was blessed not because of what he possessed, but because of his faith. He trusted God beyond reason, and that faith became his light. Faith, not fortune, makes us truly alive.
3. Sharing brings inner light
The greed of the rich man made his barns full but his soul empty. His darkness was not outside him — it was within. Jesus reminds us that being “rich toward God” means being open-handed toward others. Yes, generosity is often misunderstood. When we help others, they may not value our sacrifice. Sometimes our kindness is taken for granted. Yet, even when generosity feels painful or fruitless, it still frees us — it loosens the grip of greed and fills us with divine light. Greed shrinks the heart; sharing expands it.
Festival of Lights: A call to inner illumination
Today, as we celebrate Diwali, the “Festival of Lights,” we decorate our homes with lamps and our hearts with joy. Diwali — from “deepa” (light) and “avali” (row) — is a celebration of brightness triumphing over darkness. But the true light is not outside us. The inner light — the flame of generosity, faith, and love — must burn within. If our hearts remain dark with selfishness, no number of lamps can brighten our homes.
Lighting the lamp within
The Gospel invites us to look inward and ask: What shadows of greed or fear still darken my heart? Do I measure my life by what I possess or by what I share? Have I forgotten that the light of life itself is a gift from God? St. John writes, “The true Light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.” (John 1:9) That Light — Christ Himself — continues to enter our lives each day.
Let us let Him in. Let us clear away the clutter of greed and open our hearts to the radiance of faith, hope, and charity. Then our homes, families, and communities will not only shine with lamps, but will glow with the inner light of God’s grace — a light that never fades, even in the darkest night.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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