Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 30 April 2026
Fourth Week of Easter
Ac 13:13-25. Jn 13:16-20
“If Any of You”
There is a quiet and beautiful moment in today’s first reading (Acts 13:13–25). Paul begins his missionary journey. He arrives in Antioch of Pisidia, enters the synagogue on the Sabbath, and simply sits down. This detail is easy to miss, but it reveals something essential. Paul does not push himself forward. He does not announce, “I am an apostle; listen to me.” He sits among the people—one among many. There is humility in this gesture, a willingness to belong before speaking, to listen before teaching.
We often carry within us a subtle desire: “I must be seen. I must be recognized.” Even in simple situations, we feel the need to show who we are, to prove our importance. But Paul shows another way. He is content to sit quietly with the assembly. There is wisdom here: if we learn to sit in silence, without the need to speak or be noticed, many of our inner struggles begin to fade. Humility creates space—for God, and for others.
Then comes the turning point. The leaders of the synagogue send a message: “Brothers, if any of you has a word of exhortation for the people, say it.” This simple phrase—“if any of you”—is an invitation. It is not directed to a specific person. It is open. It waits for a response. And Paul rises.
This raises a question for us: if such an invitation were given to me—“if any of you has a word”—would I be ready? Our life is full of learning: through prayer, through Scripture, through daily experiences, through struggles and encounters. Each of these can become a word of life for others. But two attitudes are necessary. First, we must be prepared—formed inwardly, attentive to God’s work in us. Second, we must respect the moment. We do not speak unless invited. Even a good word, given at the wrong time, can lose its grace.
Paul responds immediately. He is ready. His heart is formed, his mind is clear, and his faith is alive. He speaks with courage, even in a new place, among new people, in a different language and culture. Readiness and humility come together in him: he waits quietly, and when the moment comes, he speaks fully.
The Gospel (John 13:16–20) deepens this lesson. Jesus tells his disciples: “A servant is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.” This is the foundation of all Christian mission. We are not the source; we are sent. We do not speak our own word; we carry the word of another. This gives both humility and freedom. We do not need to prove ourselves. We simply need to be faithful.
“If any of you…” — this phrase continues to echo in our lives. It is heard in different moments: when someone seeks guidance, when a friend is in difficulty, when a community looks for direction, when silence invites a word. Not every moment requires us to speak. But when the moment comes, we are called to respond.
Today’s Word of God teaches us three simple truths. To know our place—to sit with humility. To be ready—to allow God to form a word within us. And to speak when called—neither before nor after, but at the right moment.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A ‘Yesni Prays’ Initiative
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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