Daily Catholic Lectio
Wed, 23 Sep 2026
XXV Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Padre Pio, Memorial
Prov 30:5-9. Lk 9:1-6
He Sent Them
Today’s Gospel reading has three parts: authority, instruction, and action. Jesus calls the Twelve to Himself and gives them His authority over demons and diseases. In this way, He makes them partners in His mission. He sends them out to proclaim the Gospel. Everyone who is called is also sent. Jesus shows us that being called and being sent are the two sides of the same coin of ministry.
Second comes the section of instruction. Jesus tells them not to carry money, to take only one tunic, to stay in the place where they are welcomed, and to accept rejection when it comes. These instructions contain several important attitudes for those who are sent. They must let go of anxiety about their own comfort and security. They must recognise that God cares for them. They must build close relationships with others and learn to depend upon them. They must also protect themselves from allowing the surrounding circumstances to control them, and they must know when it is time to leave.
Third, the Twelve who are sent go from village to village, proclaiming the Good News and healing the sick. The authority and the instructions given by Jesus are immediately put into practice.
Through Baptism, we too enter into the circle of the disciples of Jesus. We share in His mission of proclaiming the Gospel, casting out evil, and bringing healing. We too have received authority over the forces of evil and over what destroys life. But many times we forget this. One principle of evolution says that whatever is not used gradually disappears. In the same way, we must become conscious of the gifts we have received and use them.
Second, Jesus teaches a simple way of life and trust in God’s providence. Today, in many places, people speak about minimalism and living with less. The minimalism proposed by the world is often economic and centred on self-sufficiency. But the simple life proposed by Jesus is different. It is a life in which we depend on God and also on one another.
Third, the proclamation of the Gospel must blossom into a life of witness. The Gospel is not only something we speak. It must become visible in the way we live.
In today’s first reading, the author of Proverbs teaches us about the contentment we must have. If we are to receive this contentment, the Lord Himself must provide what we truly need. The reading invites us to recognise our dependence upon God. This teaching closely resembles the simplicity Jesus asks of His disciples: “Two things I ask of you … keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need.”
Today we also celebrate the memorial of Saint Padre Pio. He spent himself in prayer and in the ministry of reconciliation. He was also known as a priest who bore the stigmata, the five wounds of Christ.
Today’s readings remind us that Jesus does not call us only to remain with Him. He sends us. He gives us what is necessary, teaches us how to live, and asks us to put His mission into action.
We are called. We are given. We are sent.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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