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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, August 20, 2012

Scripture: Ezekiel 24:15-23 Matthew 19:16-22 Reflection: Please bear with me as I start my reflection with a story that may seem very far afield from today’s readings.   Years ago » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 18, 2012

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32 Matthew 19:13-15 Reflection: Our scriptural readings for today’s feast give us much to think about.  The reading that captured my imagination is from the prophet Ezekiel, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 27, 2012

Feast of Saint Monica Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12 Matthew 23:13-22 Reflection: Some time ago I was speaking with a young man, a recovering cocaine addict. There was still suffering in » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 16, 2012

Scripture: Ezekiel 12:1-12 Matthew 18:21-19:1 Reflection: "Son of man, you live in the midst of a rebellious house. . ."  These words to the prophet Ezekiel remind me of a » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 12, 2012

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:4-8 Ephesians 4:30-5:2 John 6:41-51 Reflection: Elijah was afraid.  He was literally running for his life.  He had just accomplished great things for God and had done » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 11, 2012

Scripture: Hebrews 1:12-2:4 Matthew 17:14-20 Reflection: Jesus had just given Peter, James and John a glimpse of his glory when he was transfigured and spoke with Moses and Elijah of his » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 15, 2012

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Scripture: Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab 1 Corinthians 15:20-27 Luke 1:39-56 Reflection: Once again we encounter these powerful readings for the feast of Mary’s Assumption » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 10, 2012

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10 John 12:24-26 Reflection: I’ve heard the scripture passage so many times – "God loves a cheerful giver". It is easy to be a "cheerful giver" when » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 9, 2012

  Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Matthew 16:13-23     Reflection: Let Us Go to Die with Our People There are three Carmelite saints who share » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 8, 2012

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:1-7 Matthew 15:21-28 Reflection: The O.P.s (Order of Preachers) and the C.P.s (Congregation of the Passion) get confused sometimes. Both are communities founded to preach. St. Dominic loved » Continue Reading.

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