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The Love that Compels

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Daily Reflections

Daily Scripture, September 16, 2025

Scripture:

1 Timothy 3:1-13
Luke 7:11-17

Reflection:

Beloved, this saying is trustworthy. 1 Timothy 3:1

Last week, as I was preparing for this homily, I read the first reading for the Saturday Mass, a reading from St. Paul’s letter to Timothy, St. Paul states: “This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.” (I Tim. 1:15) Then I reread the first reading for today’s Mass and Paul says, “This saying is trustworthy” to Bishop Timothy, a young man whom Paul mentored as he went about his missionary journeys.

What does trustworthy mean and why is it important? As I reflected on those questions, I went back to the New Testament and discovered that this word is used 21 times in the Gospels and the other books of the New Testament. We first find it used by Jesus who tells us that someone who is trustworthy in small matters will also be trustworthy in great ones (Luke 16:10). For the early church, being trustworthy was very important and the only to know if a person is trustworthy is by looking at what person says and does. As St. Luke explains in the Gospel passage cited, a person who lies, is dishonest and disrespects others is not trustworthy. We really do not need an expert to tell us this. Even a child knows when we are being trustworthy and when we are deceitful.

Recently, I began reading a biography of the Lutheran martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who became a theologian and a pastor when Hitler began his rise as leader in Germany. He came from a wealthy, well know family in Germany. Shortly after Hitler’s election, Bonhoeffer broadcasted a sermon over the radio in which he said that Hitler was not trustworthy and why. The radio station stopped transmitting mid-sermon, but no one would be able to stop him from preaching the Gospel. As we know, the German authorities later arrested him, threw him into a concentration camp and executed him. Of course, he was not the only one who condemned Hitler for his policy of extermination of the Jewish race and other crimes against humanity, but certainly he continues to be an outstanding example of someone who knows the difference between someone who is trustworthy and one who is not.

So, when Paul writes to Timothy, he is telling him to pay attention to what is trustworthy. Who is Timothy supposed to trust? Who are we supposed to trust? God and God’s Word. God acts of Love, which includes Jesus’ death on the Cross. The word and testimony of the many men and women over the centuries who have taught us the Gospel of Jesus, its values, its way of life, its sayings, and its saving message of grace. That is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance!

St. Paul is asking us to be trustworthy ourselves. And Paul is also asking us not to be deceived by people who are not trustworthy. The rest of the first reading describes people who are trustworthy and people who are not. What a wonderful message we have to today’s times!

In whom do we put our trust?

Fr. Clemente Barrón, C.P. is the local superior of Mater Dolorosa Community in Sierra Madre, California. 

Daily Scripture, January 18, 2025

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16Mark 2:13-17 Reflection: The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 17, 2025

Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-5, 11Mark 2:1-12 Reflection: The evangelist Mark depicts today’s gospel story in such vivid and dramatic detail that we feel as if we are right there in Capernaum. » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 16, 2025

Scripture: Hebrews 3:7-14Mark 1:40-45 Reflection: When I read today’s Gospel, I think of and am struck by the faith of the leper. In his despair, in his loneliness, his aloneness, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 15, 2025

Scripture: Hebrews 2:14-18Mark 1:29-39 Reflection: Whenever I hear this Gospel being proclaimed, I am reminded of our trip to the Holy Land and the Basilica of the Nativity in Nazareth. » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 14, 2025

Scripture: Hebrews 2:5-12Mark 1:21-28 Reflection: Angels and Us So, Jesus became human… like, way “lower than the angels,” right? Makes you wonder, will we humans still be the low-ranking ones » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 13, 2025

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-6Mark 1:14-20 Reflection: Mark’s gospel has no Christmas story, no manger or shepherds in Bethlehem, no Magi or star to lead them.  And yet, the Christmas narrative is » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 12, 2025

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7Acts 10:34-38Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 Reflection: I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.  He will baptize you » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 11, 2025

Scripture: 1 John 5:14-21John 3:22-30 Reflection: When John the Baptist declared of Jesus, “He must increase; I must decrease” (Jn 3.30), he meant that for others to know Jesus, John » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 10, 2025

Scripture: 1 John 5:5-13Luke 5:12-16 Reflection: My much younger friend recently vented about how overwhelming her life as a working parent can seem. I remember being the primary parent of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, January 9, 2025

Scripture: 1 John 4:19-5:4Luke 4:14-22a Reflection: May You Enjoy Your Christmas Gifts Do you have a gift yet to be delivered, one under the soon-to-disappear tree sitting unclaimed? Could there » Continue Reading.

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