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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, April 7, 2024

Scripture: Acts 4:32-351 John 5:1-6John 20:19-31 Reflection: There was no needy person among them,for those who owned property or houses would sell them,bring the proceeds of the sale,and put them » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 6, 2024

Scripture: Acts 4:13-21Mark: 16:9-15 Reflection: Tucked away in a grove of trees on the campus of St Anselm College in New Hampshire is a small cemetery where dozens of Benedictine » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 5, 2024

Scripture: Acts 4:1-12John 21:1-14 Reflection: Experiencing someone coming back to life after you clearly knew they were dead has got to rock your world.  A week earlier you were walking » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, April 1, 2024

Scripture: Acts 2:14, 22-23Matthew 28:8-15 Reflection: You know how when you have an amazing experience, you must share that story with your friends and family, telling it over and over? » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 31, 2024

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord Scripture: Acts 10:34a, 37-43Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8John 20:1-9 or Matthew 28:1-10 Reflection: Grace Filled Easter What lovely words from the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 29, 2024

Good Friday Scripture: Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12Hebrews 4:14 -16; 5:7-9John 18:1-19:42 Reflection: Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. -John 18:37 When I was a child, Good » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 28, 2024

Holy Thursday Scripture: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-141 Corinthians 11:23-26John 13:1-15 Reflection: LENT IS OVER!  For the past six weeks we have prayed, fasted and performed acts of kindness and service for » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 25, 2024

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-7John 12:1-11 Reflection: Mary Found Favor with God Every Sunday when we proclaim the Creed, we remind ourselves that we believe in the “Communion of the Saints.”  But » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 24, 2024

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Scripture: Mark 11:1-10 or John 12:12-16Isaiah 50:4-7Philippians 2:6-11Mark 14:1-15:47 Reflection: Todays’ liturgy begins with Christ’s entry into Jerusalem.  After 3 years of incredible healings, miracles » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, March 23, 2024

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:21-28John 11:45-56 Reflection: In our Gospel reading, some people go to the Pharisees to tell them what Jesus had done, notably raising Lazarus from the dead. So, the » Continue Reading.

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