• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Migration
    • Statement from Passionist Leadership Regarding Current United States Immigration Policies
    • The Global Migration Crisis: What Can a Retreat Center Do?
  • Laudato Si’
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
    • Laudato Si’ 2023-24 Report and 2024-25 Plan
    • Ways to Live Laudato Siˊ
    • Sustainable Purchasing
      • Sustainable Purchasing Guide
      • Hints for Sustainable Meetings and Events
      • Sustainable Living Hints
    • Passion of the Earth, Wisdom of the Cross
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Video: Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • The Passionist Way
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Magazine
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Come and See Holy Week Discernment Retreat
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Province Leadership
    • Vocation Resources
    • Passionist Brothers
    • The Life of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • World Day for Consecrated Life
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
      • St. Gemma Circle of Giving Intentions
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Passionist History: Webinar Series
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

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, November 26, 2014

Scripture: Revelation 15:1-4 Luke 21:12-19 Reflection: Holidays have the tendency to lose their connectedness to their origins.  I suppose it is inevitable.  None of us were there at the first » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 25, 2014

Feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria Scripture: Revelations 14:14-19 Luke 21:5-11 Reflection: St. Catherine of Alexandria was a learned woman, a convert to Christianity at the age of eighteen. She » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 24, 2014

Scripture: Revelations 14:1-3, 4b-5 Luke 21:1-4 Reflection: He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 21, 2014

Presentation of Mary in the Temple Scripture: Revelations  10:8-11 Matthew 12:46-50 Reflection: There is no scriptural account of Mary’s presentation in the temple, by her parents, Joachim and Ann.  Apparently » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 20, 2014

Scripture: Revelations 5:1-10 Luke 19:41-44 Reflection: The readings today describe contrasting moments in the life of the people of God and of every disciple of Jesus.  The first reading from » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 23, 2014

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 Matthew 25:31-46 Reflection: As I write this, many in the U.S. are waiting to see what will happen in Ferguson, MO, when » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 19, 2014

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-11 Luke 19:11-28 Reflection: "Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards." Revelation 4:1 The two readings for today’s Mass sent me to the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 17, 2014

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5 Luke 18:35-43 Reflection: For the next several weeks we will have readings from this strange and unique book called Revelation, or in Greek, Apocalypse. It abounds » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 22, 2014

Scripture: Revelations 11:4 – 12 Luke 20:27 – 40 Reflection: How often have we heard or even participated in conversations which include something of the following:  "I try not to » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 18, 2014

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22 Luke 19:1-10 Reflection: Sometimes our actions indicate one thing on the surface, but in fact betray a much deeper desire and longing – one we think » Continue Reading.

  • « Previous
  • 1
  • …
  • 341
  • 342
  • 343
  • 344
  • 345
  • …
  • 527
  • Next »

Footer

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

Name

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2025 | Log in