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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, September 20, 2009

Scripture: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 James 3:16-4:3 Mark 9:30-37 Reflection: Do you ever feel like you’re being battered by all the people, issues, or ideas that are demanding your attention?  Whether » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 19, 2009

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:13-16 Luke 8:4-15 Reflection: "They may look but not see, and hear but not understand" (Luke 8:10)   I remember the time when one of our teachers » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 17, 2009

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12-16 Luke 7:36-50 Reflection: In our first reading today, taken from the Letter to Timothy, Paul offers Timothy, encouragement, support and advice.  Timothy is a young man, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 15, 2009

Memorial of the Sorrowful Mother Scripture: Hebrews 5:7-9 Stabat Mater John 19:25-27 Reflection: "At the cross her station keeping, stood the mournful mother weeping, close the Jesus at the last. » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 13, 2009

Scripture: Isaiah 50:5-9a James 2:14-18 Mark 8:27-35 Reflection: The mystery of each human life both fascinates, and at times, frustrates us.  Since we can never know another person fully (’til » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 11, 2009

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14 Luke 6:39-42 Reflection: Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Plain to his disciples. But many who opposed him were also present — scribes and Pharisees, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 8, 2009

Scripture: Micah 5:1-4a or Romans 8:28-30 Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23 Reflection: "Those whom God predestined God also called." (Ro. 8:30) I was professed as a Passionist in Pittsburgh on » Continue Reading.

Daily Reflection, September 7, 2009

Scripture: Colossians 1:24-2:3 Luke 6:6-11 Reflection: In my flesh I fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of his body, the Church.  Col:  1:24. » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 5, 2009

Scripture: Colossians 1:21-23 Luke 6:1-5 Reflection: For a young person growing up, there are lots of rules to learn.  There are family rules, society rules, cultural rules, religious rules, house rules, school rules, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, September 3, 2009

Feast of St. Gregory the Great Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14 Luke 5:1-11 Reflection: "He opened his treasures and made him rich in all goodness. " That is the antiphon at the » Continue Reading.

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