Daily Catholic Lectio
Mon, 3 Aug 2026
XVIII Week in Ordinary Time
Jer 28:1-17. Mt 14:22-36
False Prophet
In today’s first reading, we read about the conflict between the prophet Jeremiah and the prophet Hananiah.
Jeremiah announces to the people the message of God: the people of Israel will be taken into exile in Babylon. This message is difficult and bitter to accept.
In contrast, Hananiah, who presents himself as a prophet, announces a false message among the people: the Babylonian exile will not take place.
Though this message is false, it is acceptable to the people, because it suits their emotional excitement. Moreover, because of this message, the people do not need to change their way of life. They can continue to worship idols as they are doing now.
Jeremiah rebukes Hananiah, who prophesied falsely and turned the hearts of the people in the wrong direction.
All of us have received the call to be prophets in this world. This call, which we received through baptism, invites us to bear witness to the truth.
When we follow falsehood and what is easy instead of following the truth, we too become false prophets.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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