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Daily Reflections

Daily Scripture, September 17, 2025

Scripture:

1 Timothy 3:14-16
Luke 7:31-35

Reflection:

Our readings today might aptly be described as a “lesson on manners,” a brief but very insightful tutorial on how Christians ought and ought not to behave. In the passage from 1 Timothy, we are reminded that through baptism we were incorporated into “the household of God.” Even though all of us belong to multiple “households” (family, friendships, local communities, groups and organizations), none should ever become more important than the household of God, which is “the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.” The household of God is our true place of belonging, the foundation and center of our lives; no other “household” should ever supplant it.

Lest we think the household of God is a haphazard collection of individuals, each doing as he or she pleases, the writer insists that every member should “know how to behave in the household of God.” That’s because as we grow as members of that household, we are initiated into the ways of God that have been revealed to us in Christ. By learning the “manners” of Christ, we can fulfill our baptismal vocation of witnessing Christ in our lives until, as 1 Timothy promises, he is “believed in throughout the world.”

By contrast, today’s strange nugget of a gospel shows us how not to behave; it is a pithy, if initially perplexing, lesson in “bad manners.” Jesus zeroes in on people who are always finding fault, always criticizing, and using that as an excuse to reject the message as well as the messenger. John the Baptist comes along, and rather than taking his message to heart, they declare, “He is possessed by a demon.” Then Jesus stands right in front of them, and rather than opening their hearts to receive him, they mock him as “a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” As a result, they stay exactly as they were, untouched, unchanged, unredeemed. That’s not only bad manners; it’s also an inconsolable tragedy.

Paul J. Wadell is Professor Emeritus of Theology & Religious Studies at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and a member of the Passionist Family of Holy Cross Province.

Daily Scripture, October 28, 2013

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22 Luke 6:12-16 Reflection: In Luke’s gospel today, we hear how Jesus went up to the mountain to pray.  Taking time for » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 27, 2013

  Scripture: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14     Reflection: The Problem with Religion During this season it’s not uncommon to spot a few pint-sized mummies » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 26, 2013

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11 Luke 13:1-9 Reflection: Today’s  Gospel story of the gardener’s plea to the landowner to give more time for the fig tree to bear fruit is unusual in » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 24, 2013

Scripture: Romans 6:19-23 Luke 12:49-53 Reflection: "Brothers and sisters:  I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your nature… For the wages of sin is death…"  Romans » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 23, 2013

Scripture: Romans 6:12-18 Luke 12:39-48 Reflection: During one of my talks during the retreat weekend, I reflect on the fact that forgiveness is one of the hardest things we are » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 22, 2013

Scripture: Romans 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21 Luke 12"35-38 Reflection: "Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival." Luke 12:37 I’m always amazed that people can spend » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 21, 2013

Scripture: Romans 4:20-25 Luke 12:13-21 Reflection: The search for power has been an ongoing effort down through the centuries.  Military arsenals have often been instruments in this effort, but there » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 20, 2013

  Feast of St. Paul of the Cross, Founder of the Passionists Scripture: Exodus 17: 8-13 2 Timothy 3: 14 – 4: 2 Luke 18: 1-8   Reflection: Have you » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 18, 2013

  Feast of St. Luke  Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:10-17b Luke 10:1-9     Reflection: Beloved: Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me …Luke is the only one with me. » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, October 17, 2013

Scripture: Romans 3:21-30 Luke 11:47-54 Reflection: Wondrous deeds have been done by the Lord to us and in front of us. What else will it take for us to be » Continue Reading.

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