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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, December 21, 2023

Scripture: Song of Songs 2:8-14 or Zephaniah 3:14-18a,Luke 1:39-45 Reflection: Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country of Judah where she entered the house of » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 17, 2023

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-111 Thessalonians 5:16-24John 1:6-8, 19-28 Reflection: With Christmas only eight days away, it is not surprising that each of today’s readings turns our attention to the birth » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 16, 2023

Scripture: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11Matthew 17:9a, 10-13 Reflection: The feats of the prophet Elijah are well-documented and well-known. He called down the fire of God and to mock the Baal priests » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 15, 2023

Scripture: Isaiah 48:17-19Matthew 11:16-19 Reflection: Now that we are in the second week of Advent, the Lord’s message is getting a little more direct. We are still enjoying all the » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 14, 2023

Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church Scripture: Isaiah 41:13-20Matthew 11:11-15 Reflection: For this day in the second week of Advent, the Church has » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 13, 2023

Scripture: Isaiah 40:25-31Matthew 11:28-30 Reflection: In this second week in Advent, Jesus gives us an invitation to, “Come to me” and find rest. When I picture what this invitation offers, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 11, 2023

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10Luke 5:17-26 Reflection: The season of Advent always provides us with a great opportunity to come to a better understanding of the prophet Isaiah.  Who was this person?  » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 10, 2023

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-112 Peter 3:8-14Mark 1:1-8 Reflection: Isaiah tells us to prepare the way of the Lord in the desert and in the wasteland. He didn’t say to do » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 9, 2023

Scripture: Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8 Reflection: Announcing the Three Comings of Jesus There is a little girl whom I’ve known since before she was born. She was a » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, December 8, 2023

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Scripture: Genesis 3:9-15, 20Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12Luke 1:26-38   Reflection: Open Our Hearts and Bear Christ to the World It is God’s » Continue Reading.

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