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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, February 16, 2012

Scripture: James 2:1-9 Mark 8:27-33 Reflection: A few years ago I attended a panel discussion at one of the very well known and attended Catholic churches in Chicago.  The congregation » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 21, 2012

Tuesday before Ash Wednesday The Prayer of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Garden Scripture: Hebrews 5:1-9 Luke 22:39-46   Reflection: Today is Mardi gras, Fat Tuesday, especially in New Orleans.   » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 15, 2012

Scripture: James 1:19-27 Mark 8:22-26 Reflection: This section of the letter of James reminds me of the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Scriptures.  Moderation and self restraint should be the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 14, 2012

Scripture: James 1:12-18 Mark 8:14-21 Reflection: "Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?" "all good giving and every perfect gift is from above coming down from » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 13, 2012

Scripture: James 1:1-11 Mark 8:11-13 Reflection:  Once again Jesus is frustrated with the Pharisees in today’s gospel. No big surprise there! And, once again, it is easy for us to » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 12, 2012

Scripture: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 Mark 1:40-45 Reflection: To our modern minds we find the treatment of lepers as set forth in Leviticus very harsh. The leper must » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 9, 2012

Scripture: 1 Kings 11:4-13 Mark 7:24-30 Reflection: The miracles in the gospel of Mark serve as parables. They bring to light what Jesus is about. In today’s miracle where we » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 8, 2012

Scripture: 1 Kings 10:1-10 Mark 7:14-23 Reflection: Recently I was taken out to lunch by the golf pro from the Houstonian Country Club. I’ve known him for some five years, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 10, 2012

Feast of Saint Scholastica  Scripture: 1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19 Mark 7:31-37 Reflection: I pray to follow God’s will and be God’s instrument, but it would be a whole lot easier » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, February 7, 2012

Scripture: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30 Mark 7:1-13 Reflection: Teresa of Avila said, "You find God in yourself and yourself in God." My earliest memories of "going to church" involve my » Continue Reading.

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