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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, August 6, 2009

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Scripture: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 2 Peter 1:16-19 Mark 9:2-10 Reflection: I could tell you that I don’t like brussels sprouts unless they have » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 5, 2009

Scripture: Numbers 13:1-2, 25-14:1, 26-29a, 34-35 Matthew 15:21-28 Reflection: Holy Frustration Our Exodus story continues,  and  I’m feeling inside myself a tremendous amount of frustration.  Before speaking of the frustration, this » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 4, 2009

Feast of St. John Mary Vianney Scripture: Numbers 12:1-13 Matthew 14:22-36 Reflection: Foibles and Fear — Faith and Forgiveness St. John Mary Vianney, today’s celebrated saint, was known for his » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 3, 2009

Scripture: Numbers 11:4b-15 Matthew 14:13-21 Reflection: The Word of God is so clear today and shines a bright light on our own challenges when we are faced with, seemingly, insurmountable » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 2, 2009

Scripture: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 Ephesians 4:17, 20-24 John 6:24-35 Reflection: Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 30, 2009

Scripture: Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38 Matthew 13:47-53 Reflection: Today’s Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 84: "How lovely is your dwelling-place, Lord, mighty God!" Our first reading from Exodus directs our attention » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, August 1, 2009

Feast of Saint Alphonsus Liguori Scripture: Leviticus 25:1, 8-17 Matthew 14:1-12 Reflection: Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.  A lawyer » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 31, 2009

Scripture: Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37 Matthew 13:54-58 Reflection: "…..Is he not the carpenter’s son?" "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 29, 2009

Scripture: Exodus 34:29-35 John 11:19-27 or Luke 10:38-42 Reflection: Today on this Feast of St. Martha the Church offers us the option of two possible gospels for our reflection. I » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, July 27, 2009

Scripture: Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34 Matthew 13:31-35 Reflection: "Alas, this people have sinned a great sin; they have made for themselves gods of gold.  But now, if you will forgive their » Continue Reading.

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