Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 16 July 2026
XV Week in Ordinary Time
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Op. Mem
Isa 26:7-9, 12, 16-19. Mt 11:28-30
Rest to the Soul
“The life of man upon earth is a struggle,” says the author of the Book of Job. The Book of Wisdom also says that the just person, after death, finds freedom from labour. As children of Adam, we carry burdens from birth.
Saint Augustine says, “Our weight make us fly upward.” Burdens can crush us. But when carried with faith, they can also lift us towards God.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus stands among the people of His time and says: “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
As a remedy for weariness, Jesus offers rest. He does not promise to remove or reduce every physical burden. Rather, He promises rest to the soul.
The soul finds rest when it learns from Jesus. He says: “I am meek and humble of heart.” A heart that is gentle and humble receives rest.
Today we remember the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Mount Carmel. According to tradition, on 16 July 1251, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock and gave the scapular as a sign connected with a good death.
The scapular is not a magical cord. It is a sign that reminds us of our death and of our call to live in God.
The person who lives with the thought of death finds rest already here. Such a person learns to carry life lightly, love deeply, and remain rooted in God.
The first reading from Isaiah speaks of longing for the Lord: “My soul yearns for you in the night.” The people experience distress, but they turn towards God. In their helplessness, they seek Him.
Rest to the soul comes when our longing is directed towards God.
Today, let us bring our burdens to Jesus. Let us learn meekness and humility from Him. Let us remember our end, not with fear, but with wisdom.
The Lord does not always remove the burden from our shoulders. But He gives rest to the soul that trusts in Him.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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