Daily Catholic Lectio
Fri, 24 July 2026
XVI Week in Ordinary Time
Jer 3:14-17. Mt 13:18-23
Shepherd After God’s Heart
“I will give you shepherds after my own heart.
They will guide you with knowledge and understanding.”
In the Old Testament, kings, priests, and prophets were considered shepherds. In Hebrew, the word is ro’im, from the verb ra’ah. They ruled the people, offered sacrifices for them, and guided them in the right path. But, over time, they placed themselves at the centre and forgot God. They forgot their state of calling. They forgot the Lord who called them. They held on only to their work.
This prophetic passage refers to the kings whom the Lord God would send in the future. In a Christian messianic reading, we can take this as referring to Jesus and to the apostles who come after Him.
In our family, workplace, and society, we too are in the position of shepherds. Let us try to be pleasing to God and to act with knowledge and foresight.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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