September 23, 2025 Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest
Daily Readings: Ezra 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20; Luke 8:19-21
By the gracious command of King Cyrus of Persia, the exiled people of Israel were permitted to return to their homeland. With renewed zeal, they undertook the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, a work that reached completion during the reign of King Artaxerxes, encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. The people of Israel, together with the priests, Levites, and other returnees, celebrated the dedication of the Temple with great joy. Sin offerings were made, and the Passover was observed. Their celebration was not merely about the building itself, but about what it represented, a visible sign of God’s abiding presence and their enduring covenant with Him.
The first generation that went into exile did not live to see this day, but the second generation carried the torch of faith with unbounded enthusiasm. With devotion, they purified themselves, restored the roles of priests and Levites, and resumed worship in the house of God. The Temple stood as a testimony to the God who had chosen them, guided them through the desert for forty years, and remained faithful to His promises.
In the Gospel of the day, Jesus presents another profound lesson on family. Some wondered whether He disregarded His mother and cousins when He spoke of His true family. Certainly not! Rather, He elevated their dignity by defining kinship in a new light. For Jesus, true family is not bound merely by blood, but by faith and obedience to God’s Word. His mother, Mary and His relatives are the perfect example of this deeper bond through their unwavering faith.
Jesus calls us, too, into this spiritual family. It is not enough to hear God’s Word; we must live it. As St. James reminds us, “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves” (James 1:22). Genuine discipleship is proven not by titles or lineages, but by obedience, love, and faithful action.
Call to Action: It is good to learn to discern God’s will in order to live a meaningful Christian life. But how can I do this if I don’t read the Word of God passionately?
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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