• 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 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, December 23, 2011

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 Luke 1:57-66 Reflection: In today’s Gospel reading, we have Luke’s account of the birth of John the Baptist. For the last few days we have heard » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 22, 2011

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 Luke 1:46-56 Reflection: In the first reading Hannah brought Samuel to the temple and left him there… too bad that’s not an option today – I » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 21, 2011

  Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-18a Luke 1:39-45       Reflection: "Satchel" Paige was a pitcher in the Negro League during his prime, pitching 50 no-hit games during that time before » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 20, 2011

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent  Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14 Luke 1: 26-38 Reflection: In five days we will celebrate the feast of Christmas.  Hovering over the Scripture readings for » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 19, 2011

Scripture: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a Luke 1:5-25 Reflection: "So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others." Luke » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 18, 2011

Fourth Sunday of Advent  Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 Reflection: "Nothing will be impossible for God."  Luke 1: 37 The gift of motherhood is » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 15, 2011

Scripture: Isaiah 54:1-10 Luke 7:24-30 Reflection: As we rush toward Christmas we are given a moment to pause by our readings today. Our first reading comes near the end of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 14, 2011

Scripture: Isaiah 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25 Luke 7:18b-23 Reflection: How often I like to characterize Advent as that silent, still time of patient waiting.  Of course, this is true.  If it » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 13, 2011

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 Matthew 21:28-32 Reflection: Matthew’s recalling of the parable of the two sons is in the context of Jesus’ conflict with the scribes and Pharisees. Luke also » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 12, 2011

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Scripture: Zechariah 2:14-17 Luke 1:26-38 Reflection: Appearances by the Virgin Mary have been regularly reported throughout the centuries. Some enthusiastic believers go into great » Continue Reading.

  • « Previous
  • 1
  • …
  • 431
  • 432
  • 433
  • 434
  • 435
  • …
  • 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