Daily Catholic Lectio. Thu, 15 January ‘26. The Captured Ark

Daily Catholic Lectio

Thu, 15 January ‘26

First Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday

1 Sam 4:1-11. Mk 1:40-45

The Captured Ark

In the first reading, we hear of a painful and shocking moment in Israel’s history: the Ark of the Covenant is captured. The Ark was the most sacred symbol of God’s presence among the people. It had gone before them in the desert, parted the Jordan, and brought down the walls of Jericho. And yet, on this day, Israel suffers defeat, many die in battle, and the Ark itself falls into enemy hands. How can this happen when the Ark is with them?

The tragedy teaches us a hard but necessary truth: the presence of religious symbols does not automatically guarantee God’s presence in our lives.

Three reasons explain this defeat.

First, the people of Israel treated the Ark as a magic object. They believed that bringing the Ark into the battlefield would automatically bring victory. But their hearts were far from God. They wanted God’s power without God’s will, God’s help without obedience. Faith had been reduced to superstition. The Ark became a tool, not a relationship. God cannot be captured or controlled by rituals when lives remain unchanged.

Second, the unworthiness of leadership played a decisive role. The sons of Eli—Hophni and Phinehas—were morally corrupt. They abused the sacrifices and exploited women at the tent of meeting. They stood near the holy but lived far from holiness. Their presence near the Ark did not sanctify them; rather, their corruption dishonoured it. When those entrusted with sacred responsibility lack integrity, the people suffer. Holiness of life matters more than closeness to holy objects.

Third, Israel lacked vision and true leadership. “Without vision, people perish.” There was no king, no leader who could unite the people, discern God’s will, and lead them with courage and faith. They went into battle reacting to fear, not responding to God’s call. The Ark was carried into war, but God’s vision was left behind.

The Ark is captured not because God is weak, but because the people had already lost God in their hearts.

In the Gospel, we see a striking contrast. A leper approaches Jesus—unclean, excluded, cut off from God and society. According to the law, Jesus should not touch him. But Jesus does the unthinkable: he stretches out his hand and touches him. The leper is healed, restored to God, restored to the community, restored to dignity.

But notice what happens next. The healed man goes back into society, while Jesus becomes isolated, forced to stay in lonely places. Jesus takes the place of the excluded. He loses space so that the other may gain life. This is true holiness—not preserving symbols but restoring people.

Here lies the message for us.

Our Masses, novenas, devotions, and even the Church itself do not automatically save us. They are gifts, not guarantees. Salvation grows when we live in communion with God, abide by his commandments, and allow worship to transform our lives. Without conversion, even the Ark can be captured.

At the same time, we are called to live with vision. A vision rooted in God’s will, shaped by prayer, and expressed in concrete love. Where vision is clear, faith becomes life-giving. Where vision is lost, even sacred things can be emptied of meaning.

The Ark was captured because Israel tried to possess God without walking with God. The leper was healed because he trusted Jesus and allowed his life to be changed.

May we not rely on holy symbols alone but seek a living relationship with God. And may God give us vision—clear, faithful, and courageous—so that our faith may truly lead us to life.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy