Daily Catholic Lectio. Fri, 26 June 2026. Will and Power

Daily Catholic Lectio
Fri, 26 June 2026
XII Week in Ordinary Time
2 Kgs 25:1-12. Mt 8:1-4

Will and Power

After presenting Jesus as the new teacher who stands in the tradition of Moses, Matthew now begins to narrate His mighty works.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals a man with leprosy. This is the first miracle performed by Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel. For Matthew’s community, this event may have recalled the prophet Elisha, who healed Naaman the Syrian of leprosy in the Old Testament.

Because there was no known cure for leprosy, because it could spread rapidly, and because it disfigured the body, the disease was often considered a curse from God. Those affected by it were excluded from their towns and communities. They experienced alienation both from God and from other people. Thus, leprosy caused pain not only to the body but also to the heart.

The healing takes place before the crowd. The leper approaches Jesus and says, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” He believes that Jesus has power over his illness. Only the will of Jesus is needed.

Jesus stretches out His hand and touches him. Naaman had expected Elisha to do this, but Elisha did not touch him. Jesus, however, touches the leper. By doing so, He does not become unclean. Instead, He makes the unclean person clean.

Jesus then tells him not to speak about the miracle but to show himself to the priest and offer the prescribed gift. In this way, Jesus restores him not only to health but also to the worshipping community and to fellowship with God.

The miracle happens at the point where the desire of the leper and the will of Jesus meet.

What lesson does this event offer us?

Many times, we think that we do not have the power to do certain things. But when we reflect honestly, we discover that the strength to do what we truly desire is often hidden within us. When desire is awakened, strength also appears.

We often say that we need “willpower” to accomplish something. Yet we forget that the will itself becomes power. When interest is born, energy follows.

Let us therefore take one thing in our life that we keep postponing because we say, “I cannot do it.” Let us begin to show interest in it. When interest grows, strength is born. ‘Obsession defeats talent.’ When will and power come together, something extraordinary becomes possible.

The first reading describes the destruction of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. Psalm 137 gives voice to the pain of the people: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept, remembering Zion.” Their tears carry defeat, fear, and helplessness.

It is precisely in our moments of defeat, fear, and helplessness that God comes into our midst.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai

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