Daily Catholic Lectio
Mon, 17 Aug 2026
XX Week in Ordinary Time
Eze 24:15-24. Mt 19:16-22
Eternal Life and Perfection
In today’s Gospel reading, a young man comes to Jesus. “What must I do to gain eternal life?” he asks. “Keep the commandments,” says Jesus.
The young man says that he has kept the commandments. Still, he feels that something is lacking in him. When Jesus tells him that, if he wants to be perfect, he must lose everything, the young man goes away sad.
Here we see two elements of discipleship: first, discipleship that follows the laws; second, discipleship that holds on to God completely.
The young man is not ready to lose the security and value that wealth gives. Visible wealth appears greater to him than invisible eternal life and perfection. He has come halfway, but he is not able to walk the remaining way. So he goes his own way.
Jesus teaches that wealth can become an obstacle to discipleship, and that if we want to become perfect, we must reduce what we possess.
In today’s first reading, the death of the wife of the prophet Ezekiel and the prophet’s grief are given as signs of exile.
Today’s responsorial psalm is taken from the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy. “You forgot the Rock who begot you,” says Moses, pointing out the failure of Israel. From that day until today, God’s call, invitation, and promise continue to be rejected.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
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