Daily Catholic Lectio. Fri, 5 June 2026. Jesus’ Question

Daily Catholic Lectio
Fri, 5 June 2026
Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
2 Tim 3:10-17. Mk 12:35-37

Jesus’ Question

During the past few days in the Gospel, we have seen different groups approaching Jesus with questions. The Pharisees, the Herodians, the Sadducees, and the scribes all came with questions. Some wanted to test Him. Others wanted to trap Him. None of them truly succeeded. Today, for the first time, Jesus becomes the one who asks the question.

While teaching in the Temple, Jesus asks: “How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.’ If David calls Him Lord, how can He be his son?”

At first glance, this may seem like a difficult theological discussion. But Jesus is not interested in winning an argument. He is leading His listeners to a deeper understanding of who He truly is.

The scribes taught that the Messiah would come from the family line of David. They were correct. The Messiah would indeed be a descendant of David. Jesus Himself was born into David’s lineage. Yet Jesus points out something deeper. David calls the Messiah “Lord.” How can a king call one of his descendants “Lord”? In Jewish culture, descendants honoured their ancestors, not the other way around.

The answer is found in the identity of Jesus. He is both human and divine. As a man, He belongs to the house of David. As the eternal Son of God, He is greater than David. He is not merely another king, prophet, or political leader. He is the Lord Himself who has entered human history.

This is the first lesson of today’s Gospel: Jesus’ humanity and divinity. The Messiah is not only David’s son; He is also God’s Son. In Jesus, humanity and divinity meet. He walks among us as one of us, yet He comes from the Father and reveals the Father. This is why the Church worships Him not only as a teacher but as Lord.

The second lesson concerns the nature of His kingdom. Many people in Jesus’ time expected a political Messiah who would overthrow foreign rulers and restore Israel’s earthly glory. Jesus challenges that expectation. His mission is not primarily political but spiritual. He comes not to conquer nations but to conquer sin. He comes not to establish an earthly empire but to inaugurate the Kingdom of God in human hearts.

Even today, people sometimes seek a Messiah who will solve economic problems, political crises, or social conflicts. While Christ certainly cares about these realities, His deepest mission is greater. He comes to transform the human heart. Lasting change in society begins with conversion within the person.

The third lesson is the response of the crowd. Mark tells us that “the great crowd heard Him gladly.” This is a beautiful detail. The experts in the Law often argued with Jesus. But ordinary people listened with joy. They recognized something authentic in His words. His teaching carried authority because it came from truth.

The contrast is striking. The religious leaders questioned Jesus, but Jesus questioned their assumptions. They thought they knew everything about the Messiah, yet they failed to recognize Him standing before them. Sometimes familiarity can blind us. We may know many things about Jesus without truly knowing Him. We may know prayers, doctrines, and traditions, yet fail to encounter Him personally as Lord.

The first reading offers an important key for this encounter. Saint Paul reminds Timothy that “all Scripture is inspired by God.” The Scriptures are not merely ancient writings. They are God’s living word given through human instruments. They teach, correct, guide, and form us in righteousness.

Notice the connection between the readings. The crowd listened gladly to Jesus. Timothy is encouraged to remain faithful to the inspired Scriptures. Both passages invite us to become attentive listeners to God’s word. The question is not simply whetherwe read the Bible. The question is whether we allow God’s word to question us.

The most important question in today’s Gospel is not the one Jesus asks about David. Behind that question lies another: “Who do you say that I am?” Is Jesus merely a great teacher? A moral guide? A historical figure? Or is He truly the Lord of our lives?

Every Christian must answer that question personally. If Jesus is only a teacher, we may admire Him. If He is only a prophet, we may respect Him. But if He is Lord, then we must follow Him, trust Him, obey Him, and place our lives in His hands.

Today, let us listen gladly to the words of Jesus. Let us approach the Scriptures with open hearts. Let us allow His questions to challenge our assumptions and deepen our faith. And let us renew our confession that Jesus is not only the Son of David but also the eternal Son of God, our Lord and our Messiah.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai

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