Daily Catholic Lectio
Wed, 1 July 2026
XIII Sunday in Ordinary Time
Am 5:14-15, 21-24. Mt 8:28-34
Seek the Good
(a) Background and meaning of the First Reading
Today’s first reading stands at the heart of the message of the prophet Amos. He condemns the religious hypocrisy and social injustice of the northern kingdom of Israel. God does not accept empty worship while the poor are exploited and justice is denied.
Amos prophesied in the 8th cent. BC, during a period of economic prosperity and military success. The wealthy considered their prosperity a sign of God’s favour. Yet they oppressed the poor, accepted bribes, and abandoned moral responsibility.
The prophet therefore says: “Seek good and not evil, that you may live.” Being chosen by God was not enough. Their identity had to become visible in justice and right conduct.
Amos also says: “Establish justice at the gate.” In the ancient world, the city gate was the place where cases were judged. But the rich could buy favourable decisions. Justice had become a commodity.
God then says: “I hate, I spurn your feasts.” The people believed that religious celebrations could please God even while they acted unjustly towards the poor and the weak. Their worship had become an attempt to bribe God.
Instead, God desires this: “Let justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream.” Justice and righteousness must not appear only occasionally. They must flow continually through the life of the community.
(b) Background and meaning of the Gospel Reading
In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals two men possessed by demons. This event follows the calming of the storm. Jesus has authority over the sea, and now He reveals His authority over evil spirits.
The event takes place in the region of the Gadarenes, east of the Sea of Galilee, where many Gentiles lived. Jesus willingly enters a non-Jewish territory and crosses cultural and religious boundaries.
The two possessed men live among the tombs. They are separated from society and surrounded by what was considered unclean: evil spirits, tombs, Gentile territory, and pigs. Matthew gathers all these images to show that darkness and impurity cannot overcome the power of Christ.
The demons recognise Jesus and cry out: “What have you to do with us, Son of God?” The disciples had asked, “What sort of man is this?” The crowds and religious leaders hesitated to recognise Him. Yet the demons know His identity.
When the demons enter the herd of pigs, the animals rush into the sea and die. Their destruction becomes a visible sign that evil always brings loss and death. The two men are freed, and the land is purified.
Yet the people do not rejoice over the healing. They are more concerned about the loss of their pigs. They ask Jesus to leave their territory. They choose economic security over the presence of God.
(c) Life Application
This is the central challenge of today’s readings. Do we seek what is good, or only what is profitable? Do we value justice more than comfort? Do we rejoice when a person is restored, or do we think first about what it may cost us?
Today, let us examine the religious hypocrisy and moral failures within us. Let us practise justice and honesty in our homes, workplaces, and communities.
Let us also recognise the power of evil around us and allow Jesus to enter those places that remain wounded, excluded, or unclean.
We remember especially the sick, persons with intellectual disabilities, persons with disabilities, and their families. Too often, society keeps them at a distance or refuses to welcome them fully into public life. Yet the Spirit of God dwells in every person.
To seek the good is to choose justice over appearance, people over profit, and the presence of God over every form of fear and loss.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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