Daily Catholic Lectio. Mon, 27 July 2026. Utility

Daily Catholic Lectio
Mon, 27 July 2026
XVII Week in Ordinary Time
Jer 13:1-11. Mt 13:31-35

Utility

We have often heard the saying: “It is better to wear out by being used than to rust away by remaining unused.” In today’s first reading, the Lord God gives a warning to the people of Israel through the prophet Jeremiah.

The Lord asks the prophet to buy a linen loincloth. This loincloth, worn around the waist, represents the people of Israel. This image shows the closeness between God and the people of Israel. The people who were once close to God move away from Him because of their unfaithfulness and their breaking of the covenant. As a result, like a loincloth kept aside without being used, they become ruined and useless. The Lord God allows them to be taken into exile.

In the Gospel reading too, we see two images. Through the images of the mustard seed and the leaven, Jesus explains the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven. No one can stop the movement of the seed or the force of the leaven. In the same way, no one can stop the growth of the Kingdom of heaven. Though it is small in size, the Kingdom has the power to bring about great change.

What meaning do the three images that we read today give us?

Each one of us is an instrument of use in the hands of God. Let the goal of our life be to know, follow, and fulfil the purpose of life that He has given us.

Let us try to use our life, our time, and our talents fully.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai

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