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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, November 26, 2023

Solemnity of Christ the King Scripture: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-171 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28Matthew 25:31-46 Reflection: In our Gospel reading for Sunday, the Feast of Christ the King (Matthew 25:31-46), Jesus gives » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 25, 2023

Scripture: 1 Maccabees 6:1-13Luke 20:27-40 Reflection: Throughout my ministry, I have to confess that I haven’t really preached on either 1 or 2 Maccabees. These books are indeed filled with » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 24, 2023

Scripture: 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59Luke 19:45-48 Reflection: Jesus had a very intense concern about prayer. ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 23, 2023

Thanksgiving Day (USA) Scripture: Sirach 50:22-241 Corinthians 1:3-9Luke 17:11-19 Reflection: In our Gospel reading for Thanksgiving Day, ten lepers approach Jesus, at a distance, as He is traveling through Samaria » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 22, 2023

Scripture: 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31Luke 19:11-28 Reflection: Lord, I thank you for these days of faux Summer, the warmth of which is made more glorious because we have already felt » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 21, 2023

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Scripture: 2 Maccabees 6:18-31Luke 19:1-10 Reflection: Today we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As with Mary’s birth, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 20, 2023

Scripture: 1 Maccabees 1: 10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63Luke 18: 35-43 Reflection: I am the light of the world, says the Lord;whoever follows me will have the light of life. The » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 19, 2023

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-311 Thessalonians 5:1-6Matthew 25:14-30 Reflection: Last week we reflected upon wisdom. We reflected on taking a leap of faith that following the wisdom of God, in » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 18, 2023

Scripture: Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9Luke 18:1-8 Reflection: Our readings today offer us an insight into the liturgical time of the year. Soon we will celebrate the feast of Christ the King, » Continue Reading.

Daily Scripture, November 17, 2023

Scripture: Wisdom 13:1-9Luke 17:26-37 Reflection: Nobody likes to be caught off guard when something momentous is about to happen. Today’s gospel is so unnerving because it reminds us of how » Continue Reading.

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